Inform: Cost-effectiveness

James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how often his Department assesses the work of Inform for the purposes of ensuring value for money for the funding it provides.

Andrew Stunell: Whenever any external organisation applies to my Department for financial support an initial assessment is carried out of the value for money of its proposals. All bodies which go on to receive financial support are continually assessed under the appropriate framework for the management of public finances.

Local Government Finance

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions he has on the funding settlement for local authorities for 2012-13.

Bob Neill: Ministers regularly discuss local government finance settlements with interested parties. We will be consulting on our proposals for the provisional local government finance settlement for 2012-13 in due course. As part of the current two-year settlement provisional figures for 2012-13 are available on our website at:
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1112/grant.htm#set1213

Organised Crime: Departmental Coordination

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral statement of 11 August 2011, Official Report, column 1055, on public disorder, what meetings he and his Ministers have had with Home Office Ministers to assist in compiling the report to the House on gang culture.

Grant Shapps: Ministers within the Department for Communities and Local Government regularly meet colleagues from the Home Office to discuss a range of matters.

Organised Crime: Departmental Coordination

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral statement of 11 August 2011, Official Report, column 1055, on public disorder, what meetings his officials have had with the Home Office to assist in compiling the report to the House on gang culture.

Grant Shapps: Officials within the Department for Communities and Local Government regularly meet colleagues from the Home Office to discuss a range of matters.

Urban Areas: Government Assistance

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department has disbursed through the High Street Support Scheme since the scheme's establishment; and how many businesses have received support.

Bob Neill: holding answer 21 October 2011
	I refer the right hon. Member to my Department's press notice of 27 October 2011. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.

Children: Poverty

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent estimate she has made of the number of children in Wales living in poverty.

David Jones: Latest figures derived from the Households Below Average Income series of surveys for the period 2007-08 to 2009-10 show that the proportion of children living in relative poverty in Wales stands at 25%.
	The Government are firmly committed to the goal of ending child poverty in Wales and across the United Kingdom by 2020. The UK's first Child Poverty Strategy “A New Approach to Child Poverty: Tackling the Causes of Disadvantage and Transforming Families' Lives” sets out a new approach to tackling poverty for this Parliament and up to 2020. The strategy is clear that poverty is about far more than income.
	The strategy demonstrates the Government's commitment to lifting people out not only of income poverty, but poverty of aspiration and poverty of outcomes. The strategy established a new suite of child poverty indicators against which progress will be monitored. These new indicators, in addition to those in the Child Poverty Act 2010, continue to recognise the importance of income, but also capture the broader understanding of both the causes and consequences of poverty.
	We must also recognise that the Welsh Government have responsibility for a number of factors that affect child poverty and it is important that their strategy dovetails with ours especially given that Wales continues to show levels of child poverty well above the UK average.

Social Enterprises

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions she has had on promoting social enterprises in the area for which her Department is responsible in each month since May 2010; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: The Wales Office has no executive responsibility for service provision that social enterprises could undertake.
	However the Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), and I are aware of the positive impact social enterprise—an aspect of the big society vision—can have in communities and we are committed to promoting and encouraging it in Wales. Our recent big society seminar, which examined how all sectors could get involved in activity to benefit the community, was attended by several representatives of the social enterprise sector. In addition I have visited several social enterprises since May 2010, including the very successful Crest co-operative in Llandudno and the Cwm Trannon Community Co-operative at Trefeglwys.

Departmental Responsibilities

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at how many events organised by (a) charities, (b) other civil society groups, (c) businesses and (d) lobbying organisations Ministers and senior officials in his Department have given speeches in each month since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Hugo Swire: Since May 2010, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), and I have attended a great many events and functions organised by a wide range of organisations across Northern Ireland. We have spoken at a number of these events either informally or to a formal text which would routinely be published on the departmental website. To provide the level of detail the hon. Member requires can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Asylum

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK Border Agency (UKBA) flights to Sri Lanka there have been in each month since May 2010; how many failed Tamil asylum seekers were on each flight; how many are still in contact with UKBA or other Government representatives; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: Where a person is found not to be in need of international protection and they have no other lawful basis to remain in the UK, we expect them to leave the country. We would prefer such people leave voluntarily and we provide a number of comprehensive schemes to assist them with doing so, but if they fail to leave, we will enforce their departure.
	Most people whose removal is being enforced leave on scheduled flights, but in the case of Sri Lanka, the UK Border Agency has also chartered two flights, one in June 2011 returning 26 people and a second in September 2011 returning 50. These were Sri Lankan nationals; the UK Border Agency only keeps records of nationality rather than ethnicity.
	We monitor the conditions in countries across the world closely and only seek to return people where it is safe to do so and it would not put the UK in breach of its international obligations. The UK Border Agency does not routinely monitor the treatment of individual subjects once they are removed from the UK given they have been found not to be in need of international protection. However, in the case of Sri Lanka, we currently provide those being returned with the contact details of the high commission in Colombo.

Civil Disorder

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 13 September 2011, Official Report, column 1129W, on civil disorder, when she expects information on the number of claims received from businesses under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 to be available.

Nick Herbert: Under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886, affected police authorities are responsible for assessing all claims for compensation made to them by both businesses and households. They then pay such compensation as they see fit. Police authorities are not required to pass on information on the number of claims received from either businesses or households to the Home Office. However, this may be submitted as part of any application for Home Office support to meet the costs incurred by the authority. We have not yet received any final formal special grant applications relating to the Riot (Damages) Act costs.

Departmental Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what level of security vetting is required for the post of (a) head of communications, (b) deputy head of communications and (c) head of press office in her Department; and if she will list each person who has held these posts since May 2010;
	(2)  what level of security vetting is required for (a) grade six and seven, or equivalent, press officers and (b) ministerial private secretaries in her Department;
	(3)  what level of security vetting is required for (a) special advisers and (b) ministerial-appointed policy advisers in her Department; and if she will list each person who has held these posts since May 2010.

Damian Green: The Home Office undertakes national security vetting clearances in line with the guidance published on the Cabinet Office website. It is not appropriate to confirm which posts require vetting and at what level as it would be highlight who may have access to sensitive or classified material.
	The Cabinet Office publishes on a quarterly basis the names of all special advisers.
	Since 2010 Yasmin Diamond has held the post of Director of Communications. Simon Wren and Andy Tighe have held the post of Head of News. The Home Office does not have a ‘deputy Head of Communications’.

Deportation: Offenders

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 24 October 2011, Official Report, column 41W, on deportation: offenders, how long the 10 longest cases were where a deportation order was issued to a foreign national offender and that offender remains in the UK.

Damian Green: We seek to remove all foreign criminals who have committed a serious crime in the UK, prior to their release from prison. In order to achieve this, we have made considerable improvements to the way we deport foreign national offenders. By considering criminal cases at an earlier stage, we have increased the number of offenders that are moved directly from criminal detention out of the country.
	A deportation order may be served on the offender at the start of their sentence; they will not be deported until the end of their prison term.
	The following table sets out the 10 longest cases where a deportation order has been issued to a foreign national offender and that offender remains in the UK:
	
		
			 Date deportation   order served Length in years from service of the deportation order Reason for delay in deportation 
			 2 August 1991 20 Currently serving life sentence 
			 10 November 1992 19 Currently serving life sentence 
			 30 May 1995 16 Absconded 
			 17 February 1998 13 Outstanding HR claim 
			 20 March 2001 10 Currently serving life sentence 
			 18 April 2002 9 Currently serving life sentence 
			 8 November 2002 8 Bailed awaiting documentation 
			 20 November 2002 8 Outstanding HR claim 
			 6 May 2003 8 Outstanding HR claim 
			 9 December 2003 7 Absconded

Deportation: Offenders

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 24 October 2011, Official Report, column 41W, on deportation: offenders, in (a) how many and (b) what proportion of cases a foreign offender has (i) successfully and (ii) unsuccessfully appealed a deportation order.

Damian Green: Between 1 August 2010 and 1 September 2011, 1,598 foreign national offenders appealed their deportation order. 426 (26%) were allowed, 754 (47%) were dismissed and 418 (26%) were either withdrawn, abandoned, struck out or have yet to be heard.

DNA: Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases interim electronic data on the National DNA Database and in databases held by forensic science services has been destroyed following an exceptional case decision; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: Because of the particular facts in one case, the interim data relating to that individual was destroyed.
	Interim data is held on the forensic suppliers' systems but not on the National DNA Database (NDNAD).
	Further work is underway to break any link between interim data created during the process of generating a DNA profile and an individual, subject to any requirements of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (1996). This includes changing forensic supplier identification codes and an independent audit.
	The National DNA Database (NDNAD) Unit are also exploring whether it may be possible to change the profiling process so that interim data held by suppliers would no longer be stored in batches, so that it could be destroyed for individual profiles more readily.

Personation

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether (a) she, (b) her Ministers and (c) her officials have had discussions with the Metropolitan Police on the provision of evidence by police officers in court under a false identity; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: Home Office Ministers and officials have not met with the Metropolitan Police to discuss the provision of evidence by police officers in court under a false identity. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary is currently reviewing police tactics in this area and we await their report.

Carbon Emissions: Business

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she proposes that her Department's consultation on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting will take account of (a) the Department for Energy and Climate Change's review of the Carbon Reduction Commitment and (b) the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' consultation on The Future of Corporate Narrative Reporting.

Richard Benyon: The Department of Energy and Climate Change's review of the Carbon Reduction Commitment and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' consultation on narrative reporting are both relevant in considering whether to introduce regulations requiring companies to report greenhouse gas emissions.

Food: Prices

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the contribution of market speculation to food price volatility in 2007-08.

James Paice: The report 2007-08 Agricultural Price Spikes: Causes and Policy Implications, published by HMG in January 2010, reviewed various potential mechanisms whereby speculation might have distorted markets. It concluded that there was no conclusive evidence that speculation leads to higher or more volatile prices, although we do know that some factors like export bans, stock levels, energy prices and damaged harvests certainly can put pressure on prices.
	On 8 April 2011 the UK and Brazil called on members of the G20 to take action to tackle food price volatility, in the face of food price inflation and long-term food security challenges.
	G20 Agriculture Ministers welcomed the steps which Finance Ministers are taking to ensure appropriate and transparent regulation of financial markets.

Slug Pellets

Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to protect (a) hedgehogs and (b) other wildlife from Metaldehyde and Methiocarb slug pellets.

Richard Benyon: As plant protection products (pesticides), both metaldehyde and methiocarb slug pellets are controlled under EU pesticides legislation. The Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) of the Health and Safety Executive (the Government body responsible for regulating pesticides) carries out checks to ensure the risks that can arise from the use of these products are not unacceptable. This will include an assessment of the toxicity of each product and the ways in which spray operators, the public or environment, including wildlife, are exposed to them.
	Controls extend to the use of pesticide products and CRD routinely restricts the way products can be used (for example specifying dose rates, timing and place of application) to ensure the protection of human health and the environment. Users are also legally obliged to take all reasonable precautions to protect the health of human beings, animals and plants. Advice on how this can be done is set out in a statutory “Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products” which, among other things, contains guidance on minimising the exposure of wild birds and mammals to pesticides.
	In addition, the Government's Wildlife Incident Investigation scheme (WIIS) investigates the deaths of wildlife where there is strong evidence that pesticide poisoning may be involved. The purpose of the scheme is to monitor pesticide
	use after authorisation but where there is evidence of misuse or abuse of pesticides enforcement action may be taken. In England and Wales only ten hedgehog deaths have been reported to the scheme in the last five years, none of which was found to be as a result of poisoning by pesticides. Information on WIIS (including monitoring results) is available on CRD's website at:
	www.pesticides.gov.uk

Squirrels: Pest Control

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) published in relation to immune contraception as a means of controlling grey squirrels; and what the cost to the public purse of such research has been.

Richard Benyon: Work on immuno-contraception in grey squirrels by the Forestry Commission's agency Forest Research ended in 2006-07. Field trials failed to produce an immune response that was powerful or long-lasting. Attention has now turned to another compound called DiazaCon which has shown promise as a fertility control agent. 'Proof of concept' enclosure studies between 2007 and 2011 confirmed an effect of DiazaCon on squirrel blood chemistry but the effect on reproduction was inconclusive. Further research is also needed to refine species-specific field delivery systems.
	Information on immuno-contraception was last reported in Forest Research's Annual Report and Accounts in 1999-2000.
	Results from the recent enclosure studies of the use of DiazaCon were presented at the 8(th) International Vertebrate Pest Conference in 2011. The proceedings are due to be published in Pest Management Science early in 2012.
	The cost of the studies on immuno-contraception totalled £323,000 during the period 2002-07. They were funded by the Forestry Commission, DEFRA, the Countryside Council for Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage and Natural England. A total of £282,000 has been spent on studies using DiazaCon from 2007-11 by DEFRA and the Forestry Commission.

Waste: Exports

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to ensure enforcement of the provisions of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive to reduce the amount of illegal waste exported to developing countries.

Richard Benyon: The waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations are primarily focused on ensuring that the producers of WEEE finance its collection, treatment and recovery. The UK environment agencies (the Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and Northern Ireland Environment Agency) have an active compliance monitoring programme covering the key elements of the WEEE regime. This includes ensuring that management and dealings of WEEE are consistent with wider waste regulations.
	More generally, export of waste from the UK falls under the EU Waste Shipments Regulation, supplemented by the UK-wide Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007. The environmental agencies have adopted an intelligence-led approach to illegal exports, including of WEEE, which is delivering results by disrupting the flow of these. This approach is also resulting in enforcement actions against waste criminals.

Waste: Exports

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of producer compliance scheme in reducing illegal waste electrical and electronic equipment exports.

Richard Benyon: Producer compliance schemes do not have a direct obligation or responsibility placed upon them to reduce the volume of illegal exports. They are, however, required to have systems in place to ensure that all separately collected waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) which is financed by them on behalf of their members is properly treated, in line with the best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques, thereby minimising the risk of illegal exports.
	The systems that the schemes have set now allow for most of the WEEE to be properly collected, treated, recycled and recovered, thus diverting supply from illegal exports.

Waste: Exports

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking with other EU and foreign governments to reduce illegal exports of electronic waste.

Richard Benyon: The UK is a party to the Basel convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal, the only global legal instrument on this issue. Our substantial input has helped the convention to agree a global guidance document on the management of computing equipment as part of the Partnership for Action on computer equipment, a multi-stakeholder partnership under the Basel convention. The convention is also working on a wider document to assist with the global policing of the transboundary movements of electronic waste.
	The convention is implemented in the EU through the Waste Shipments Regulation, which is supplemented in the UK by the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007. Under these regulations it is a serious criminal offence to export waste illegally, with the possibility of significant penalties for those convicted.
	Tackling the illegal export of electronic waste is also a Key feature of the work being done by numerous EU and International bodies such as the European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law, Interpol, Europol and the United Nations Environment programme. The UK competent authorities (the Environment Agency for England and Wales, the Scottish Environment Agency and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency) actively participate in numerous programmes and projects which carry out joint intelligence-led inspections and investigations, allow cross-border multi-agency sharing of intelligence, techniques and skills and improve business awareness of the controls which apply to the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment.

Whales: Pollution

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 17 October 2011, Official Report, column 606W, on chemicals, what assessment her Department has made of the effects of flame-retardant chemicals on the health of killer whales in UK waters.

Richard Benyon: The collaborative UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation programme (CSIP), aims, among other things, to undertake surveillance on the incidence of exposure to environmental pollutants in stranded cetaceans.
	Very few killer whales strand around the UK; only 23 strandings have been recorded out of nearly 10500 cetacean strandings in the UK since 1990. Of these, six have been examined at post-mortem. As such, there is insufficient data to make an adequate assessment of the possible effects polybrominated flame retardants (PBDEs) and other pollutants have on the heath of the killer whale population.
	However, given that PBDE levels are now very low in porpoises, the risk to killer whales is likely to be quite small and declining as PBDE levels continue to drop in the marine environment.
	Other brominated flame retardant compounds, such as hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) have also been detected and monitored. Levels of these chemicals are still much lower than for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
	The 2010 report of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea working group on marine mammal ecology concludes that PCBs, despite being banned for 30 years in Europe, remain the biggest chemical risk to marine top predators such as killer whales and inshore bottlenose dolphins in the North East Atlantic region rather than PBDEs or other brominated flame retardants.

Voting Rights

James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish government on the eligibility of Scottish people resident in the other parts of the UK to vote in any future independence referendum in Scotland.

David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), and I are having discussions with the Scottish Government on their plans for a referendum on Scottish independence.

Departmental Assets

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General what assets with a value of £250,000 or more the Law Officers' Departments have bought since May 2010; for what purpose; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Garnier: Since May 2010, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has bought the following assets with a value of £250,000 or more.
	
		
			 Asset description Asset purpose Cost (£) 
			 Furniture for new HQ site Achieve government space standards and reduce per head accommodation costs 1,091,858 
			 Security doors and equipment at new HQ site To meet recommended security standards at new HQ site 336,218 
			 CCTV, alarm system and security room console at new HQ site To meet recommended security standards at new HQ site 351,899 
			 Video conferencing equipment and installation at 13 sites To facilitate video conferencing and reduce the cost of travel to meetings 545,913 
		
	
	New furniture was bought as part of a project to relocate CPS staff from two London buildings into a new site. The new furniture has enabled the CPS to introduce flexible working arrangements, reduce workstation and floor space allocations and reduce accommodation costs by an estimated £5.2 million per annum.
	The installation of new video conferencing systems at 13 CPS sites will reduce the need for staff to travel to meetings, cutting the cost of travel, hotel and subsistence. It is forecast that the initial investment in this equipment will be repaid and savings of at least £242,000 achieved by 2014-15.
	Since May 2010 TSol has implemented three major projects where the aggregate cost of all capital elements will exceed £250,000.
	These projects are:
	Case Management System
	The Case Management System (CMS) is a computerised system that holds the relevant particulars for a case, helps the case officer keep track of tasks and diary dates, enables them to create and store correspondence, record time and maintain a record of the case. It has been designed to allow the Litigation Group to handle increased case loads with the same resources. It provides better quality information and relieves case workers of much of the routine business of case management, releasing them to concentrate on providing legal support and service to our clients.
	Disaster Recovery site
	A new disaster recovery site became operational in December 2010 creating a facility for TSol to switch to quickly in the event that its main site is inaccessible.
	Legal Information Online Network project
	The replacement of the on-line legal information service provided to the Government Legal Service and other subscribers. The Efficiency Reform Group (ERG) and HM Treasury have approved the cost of the project which will allow the Government Legal Service (GLS) to make significant efficiency savings over the next few years.
	The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has not made any individual payments for assets over the value of £250,000 since May 2010. However as part of the implementation of its IT system, one intangible asset (IT software) has been implemented since May 2010. This intangible asset was being developed from June 2009 to March 2011. At the point at which the development work was completed and treated as implemented its value was transferred to the SFO asset register in accordance with governmental accountancy guidelines.
	The remaining Law Officers' Departments have not recorded any expenditure on individual assets to the value of £250,000 or above since May 2010.

Bail Accommodation and Support Service

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many people have been accommodated in Bail Accommodation and Support Service properties in England and Wales since the inception of the scheme;
	(2)  how many people have been accommodated in Llanelli constituency by the Bail Accommodation and Support Service since premises in Llanelli were first acquired;
	(3)  how many people from outside Llanelli constituency have been accommodated in Bail Accommodation and Support Service properties in Llanelli constituency in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(4)  how many residents in Bail Accommodation and Support Service properties have been removed due to breach of (a) bail, (b) home detention curfew and (c) tenancy conditions in (i) England and Wales and (ii) Llanelli constituency in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: 8,558 people have been accommodated by the Bail Accommodation and Support Service between the start of the service on 18 June 2007 and 24 October 2011.
	23 people have been accommodated by the Bail Accommodation and Support Service in Llanelli constituency.
	Of the 23 people who have been accommodated in Llanelli all were from the South Wales area but none listed their home town as Llanelli. The courts will sometimes require people to be located away from their home area and this is a reciprocal benefit. Seven people from Llanelli have been referred to the Bail Accommodation and Support Service; six were unsuccessful in their bail or HDC application and one was located to another town.

Civil Disorder

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral statement of 11 August 2011, Official Report, column 1055, on public disorder, what meetings he and his Ministers have had with Home Office Ministers to assist in compiling the report to the House on gang culture.

Crispin Blunt: The Ministry of Justice is fully supportive of the cross-Government work to end gang violence. Ministers from the Ministry of Justice have attended all four of the inter ministerial meetings which have assisted in compiling the final report. No other meetings between Ministry of Justice Ministers and Home Office Ministers have taken place on this subject.

Civil Disorder

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral statement of 11 August 2011, Official Report, column 1055, on public disorder, what meetings his officials have had with the Home Office to assist in compiling the report to the House on gang culture.

Crispin Blunt: The Ministry of Justice is fully supportive of the cross-Government work to end gang violence. Officials from the Ministry of Justice have attended five officials’ group meetings, chaired by the Permanent Secretary at the Home Office, in support of the inter-ministerial group which has compiled the final report. A further two meetings have taken place between Ministry of Justice and Home Office officials regarding proposals included in the draft report which will have an impact on Ministry of Justice responsibilities.

Gangmasters Licensing Appeal Tribunal

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the functions are of the Gangmasters Licensing Appeal Tribunal.

Jonathan Djanogly: The function of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority Appeals Tribunal is to hear appeals arising from decisions of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority made under the Gangmasters Licensing Act 2004, on decisions to revoke, refuse or modify a licence, or the refusal to consent to the transfer of a licence.

Gangmasters Licensing Appeal Tribunal

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the expected (a) budget and (b) staffing level will be for the Gangmasters Licensing Appeal Tribunal in each year to 2014-15.

Jonathan Djanogly: In September 2011 responsibility for administering the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) Tribunal transferred to the Ministry of Justice. The budget for the tribunal now sits within the Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) overall operating budget and it is difficult to identify separate resources precisely because they are shared across other parts of HMCTS operations. However, the anticipated running costs of the GLA tribunal cases are £50,000 per annum. The majority of the costs are those of the tribunal panel members. Staff resourcing is provided by HMCTS, and a dedicated administrator in support of the panel equating to one half of an administrative officer full time post, is assigned to GLA tribunal duties.

Legal Aid Scheme: Domestic Violence

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent representations he has received from domestic violence groups on proposed reductions in the legal aid budget.

Kenneth Clarke: The Government's consultation on proposals for the reform of legal aid in England and Wales closed on 14 February 2011 and the response was published on 21 June 2011.
	We received a number of consultation responses from domestic violence groups as well as more recent representations. These have focused on the definition of the domestic violence used in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, and the circumstances that would provide evidence of domestic violence in order to qualify someone for legal aid in a private family case.

Prisons: Death

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many deaths were recorded as unclassified in each prison in England and Wales in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010;
	(2)  what the causes were for each unclassified death that was recorded in prisons in England and Wales in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010.

Crispin Blunt: The actual cause of deaths in prison, whether suicide, natural, self inflicted or murder, is determined at the inquest and may therefore be unknown for several years. This means that published numbers of deaths by apparent cause can change over time as inquests take place. In some cases the cause may never be clearly established.
	The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) system of classifying deaths has evolved to help place reliable numbers of deaths in prison custody in the public domain without undue delay. Where, on the information available, the cause of death is not apparent the NOMS records the death as unclassified.
	There are currently no unclassified deaths recorded for 2009. It has been possible following post mortem and other tests such as toxicology to classify all deaths in that year as either apparent self-inflicted, suspected natural causes, apparent homicide or other non natural.
	For 2010, there are seven unclassified deaths recorded for which, on the information currently available, it is not possible to identify the apparent cause of death. The deaths took place at HMPs Bronzefield, Brixton (2), Holloway, Wealstun, Low Newton and Doncaster.

Departmental Responsibilities

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions at how many events organised by (a) charities, (b) other civil society groups, (c) businesses and (d) lobbying organisations Ministers and senior officials in his Department have given speeches in each month since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 25 October 2011, Official Report, columns 139-140W.

Departmental Telephone Services

Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has allocated to each telephone helpline funded by his Department in 2011-12; what the purpose is of each such helpline; and how many calls each helpline received in the last 12 months.

Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) operates several telephone helplines and service lines. It has not been possible to provide a detailed breakdown of funding for each service line, as many DWP people are to be multi skilled, either across several service lines and helplines or they perform both telephony and processing duties.
	The information provided is by business.
	Jobcentre Plus
	Jobcentre Plus operates 22 service lines. Figures for calls received are for the last 12 months unless otherwise stated:
	First contact—where members of the public contact us to make a new claim to benefit. Calls received 5,968,813;
	Crisis loans (for living expenses)—where claimants contact us to apply for a Crisis loan. Calls received 7,648,744;
	Employer Direct—where employers contact us to place a vacancy. Calls received 801,363;
	National insurance number (NINO) allocation—where people without a NINO can apply for one. Calls received 1,256,240;
	National benefit fraud hotline—where members of the public report claimants for suspected benefit fraud. Calls received 254,314;
	Tax evasion hotline—is operated by Jobcentre Plus on behalf of HMRC, members of the public report people for suspected tax evasion. Calls received 53,776;
	Local authority fraud—is operated by Jobcentre Plus on behalf of local authorities, members of the public report people for suspected housing benefit or council tax benefit fraud. Calls received 7,243;
	Jobseekers allowance (JSA) benefit enquiry line—JSA claimants can report a change of circumstances or make an enquiry about their claim. Calls received 12,161,938;
	Income support (IS) benefit enquiry line—IS claimants can report a change of circumstances or make an enquiry about their claim. Calls received 6,880,021;
	Incapacity benefit (IB) enquiry line—IB claimants can report a change of circumstances or make an enquiry about their claim. Calls received 1,706,724;
	IB reassessment—Dealing with claimants enquiring about IB reassessment. Calls received 187,352;
	Employment support allowance (ESA)—Benefit for working age claimants unable to work on grounds of incapacity. Calls received 1,654,844
	Employment support allowance (ESA) enquiry line—ESA claimants can report a change of circumstances or make an enquiry about their claim. Calls received 7,935,594;
	Maternity allowance—where members of the public contact us to make a new claim to maternity allowance. Calls received 262,821;
	Overseas vacancy team—where employers contact us to place a vacancy outside of the UK. Calls received 141;
	International jobsearch advice—is for members of the public who want information about working and living abroad. Calls received 431;
	Jobseeker direct—members of the public can call to look for jobs or obtain more information about a particular vacancy they have found. Calls received 3,600,086;
	Self service helpdesk—technical support for customers who are having difficulty making an application to benefit online. Calls received 4,394;
	UK Borders Agency Immigration Enquiry Bureau—Jobcentre Plus are currently running a proof of concept exercise in partnership with UKBA taking some of their calls dealing with enquiries from immigration and emigration. Calls received 136,745 (figures from February 2011 only);
	E-Business operational support team—technical support for employers who are having difficulty placing a vacancy online. Calls received 38,489;
	Small and medium business recruitment helpline—offers advice and support to small and medium sized businesses and guides them through the recruitment process. Calls received 28,810;
	Social fund—enquiry line for customers relating to enquiries re social fund claims. Calls received 5,962,228.
	The overall budget for this year is £212.3 million and this is broken down into £197.8 million for staff costs and £14.5 million for non staff costs. Agents who operate Jobcentre Plus service lines are multi skilled, which means that they answer calls across multiple service lines. This means that they are unable to provide a breakdown of funding per service line. They do not undertake any duties other than telephony.
	Shared Services
	Shared services are split into three areas, purchase to pay and payment resolution service, employee services and debt management.
	Purchase to pay and payment resolution service operates three service lines and helplines;
	Purchase to pay helpline—is for suppliers relating to queries around payments for goods and services. It also receives calls from Jobcentre Plus advisers and claimants seeking clarification on payments made to support people back to work. Calls received 131,675.
	This line is operated by approximately 13 staff and costs £290,000 per annum.
	Bank liaison section—is an internal helpline and receives calls from Pension Centre or Jobcentre Plus staff requesting that the bank liaison section recalls a payment from a bank account. Calls received 169,820.
	This line is operated by approximately five staff and costs £110,000 per annum.
	Third party payments helpline—is a helpline for third party creditors, for example utilities companies and local authorities, querying payments made to them following deductions made from benefits. Calls received 25,258.
	This line is operated by approximately 2.5 staff and costs £55,000 per annum.
	The Purchase to Pay and Payment Resolution Service estimated non staff annual costs are £128,508. This means that overall this service will cost £583,508 this operational year.
	Employee Services operates three internal service lines and helplines for DWP employees to raise HR and payroll queries.
	Simple queries are answered at the first point of contact and funding of £1.510 million has been provided for this year. Calls received 235,570;
	More complex queries are handled by specialist caseworkers and funding of £169,000 has been provided for this year. 509 complex cases handled;
	An external recruitment helpline is operated for candidates applying for externally advertised posts. Due to the civil service recruitment freeze no funding has been provided for this activity for 2011/12. Calls received 624.
	Employee Services estimated non staff annual costs are £299,520. This means that overall this service will cost £1,978,520 this operational year.
	Debt Management does not operate any helplines but has three service lines:
	Debt Recovery—is for customers to make enquiries about new or ongoing debt cases. Calls received 970,188;
	Debt Payment—debt customers are able to make direct payments through debit card transactions. Calls received 139,189;
	Recovery from Estates—is for enquiries regarding debt recovery from a deceased customer's estate. Calls received 61,346.
	Debt management's overall budget for this year is £6,902,967 and this is broken down into £6,121,755 for staff costs and £781,212 for non staff costs.
	Pensions
	PDCS operates 15 helplines and service lines:
	State pension new claims—where members of the public contact us to claim their state pension. Calls received 994,805;
	Pension credit new claims—for customers who have an enquiry relating to pension credit. This includes checking entitlement, making a new claim or progressing a claim which they have already started. Calls received 1,016,810;
	State pension changes—for customers who are in receipt of their state pension and wish to inform PDCS of a change of circumstances. Calls received 2,361,965;
	Pension credit changes—for customers who are in receipt of their pension credit and wish to inform PDCS of a change of circumstances. Calls received 2,477,115;
	Bereavement service—for customers who are calling to report bereavement, this provides advice and support on how to cease benefits. Calls received 566,145;
	Future Pension Centre—for members of the public at working age who want a pension forecast. Calls received 672,742
	National Pension Centre—for customers who are in receipt of state pension and are above a certain age who wish to make a query about their claim or report a change of circumstances. Calls received 457,572
	International Pension Centre—for customers who are living abroad and are in receipt of state pension. Calls received 501,573
	Tell Us Once service—is undertaking a phased roll-out approach and allows customers who live within certain local authorities to give details of bereavement and this will notify all other affected authorities of the bereavement. Calls received 11,216;
	Winter fuel—for customers who have a query relating to winter fuel. This service is only available within the months of November to March. Calls received 363,605;
	Pension tracing service—for customers who have lost details of a Pension scheme which they were previously contributing to. Calls received 51,744;
	Method of payment reform service—for customers who receive their state pension or pension credit via cheque or giro cheque and need to change their payment method to direct payment to a bank account. Calls received 13,566;
	Method of payment social fund—for customers who receive their state pension or pension credit via cheque or giro cheque and need to change their payment method to direct payment to a bank account. Calls received 4,322;
	Overseas healthcare team—for customers making enquiries about healthcare abroad. This is includes applying for, renewing and make changes to a European Health Insurance Card. It is also an advice line for customers who are travelling abroad as well as a helpline for NHS and insurance workers. Calls received 124,093;
	Ventura [DLA] DCS claims—The DCS Claims line deal with customer requests for claim packs regarding disability living allowance and attendance allowance. Calls received 11,351
	Pensions budgets are calculated by Pension Centre rather than by function and staff perform both telephony and processing duties, which means that it is not possible to provide a breakdown by service line nor how much funding is given to their telephony services. Pensions have an overall budget of £155 million for this operational year.
	Disability and Carers Service
	Disability and Carers Service operates three service lines and have no helplines.
	Carers allowance—for customers who have caring responsibilities for a disabled person and deals with all enquiries, including new claims. Calls received 962,707.
	This service line has a budget of £3.5 million for this operational year and includes staff and non staff costs.
	Disability living allowance/attendance allowance helpline—deals with all enquiries, including new claims, for disability living allowance and attendance allowance. Calls received 4,789,944.
	This service line has a budget of £8.7 million for this operational year and includes staff and non staff costs.
	Benefit enquiry line (BEL)—is a helpline for people with disabilities, their carers and representatives, offering confidential advice and general information on all benefits and how to claim them. Calls received 700,816.
	This service line has a budget of £1.1 million for this operational year and includes staff and non staff costs.

Employment and Support Allowance

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people with multiple sclerosis who will be affected by his proposal to introduce a time limit of one year for those claiming contributory Employment and Support Allowance in the work-related activity group.

Chris Grayling: Estimates of the number of people affected by time limiting of contributory employment and support allowance (ESA) for those in the Work Related Activity Group to one year are based on national ESA caseload forecasts, which cannot be broken down by detailed medical condition. Therefore the Department is unable to provide the information requested.
	The Department recently published an ad hoc analysis of incapacity benefits caseloads by detailed medical condition, type of payment and phase of claim. Medical condition is based on the International Classifications of Diseases (ICD10). This analysis was published on 20 July 2011 and can be accessed using the following link:
	http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/adhoc_analysis/index.php?page=adhoc_analysis_2011_q3
	This shows that at November 2010 there were 1,320 ESA claimants in the Work Related Activity Group where the primary condition was classed as multiple sclerosis. However the time limit would only apply to those who claim contributory ESA in the Work Related Activity Group for a year or more.

Jobseeker’s Allowance: Appeals

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average cost to his Department was of a tribunal in respect of a claim for jobseeker's allowance in the latest year for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: The Department does not hold data relating to the overall costs for tribunal hearings for jobseeker's allowance appeals. However, we are able to provide the average cost of the administrative steps involved in preparing a jobseeker’s allowance appeal by the Department; and the average cost of an appeal, i.e. in respect of all appeal types, for Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).
	The average administration cost to the Department for jobseeker’s allowance appeals was £170. This figure covers 2010-11 which is the latest period covered by the annual report and accounts.
	The average cost to HMCTS of a completed appeal in the First-tier Tribunal, Social Security and Child Support chamber, was £282 using the most recent verified data (2009-10).

Organised Crime: Departmental Coordination

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral statement of 11 August 2011, Official Report, column 1055, on public disorder, what meetings he and his Ministers have had with Home Office Ministers to assist in compiling the report to the House on gang culture.

Chris Grayling: The following information shows DWP ministerial meetings with Home Office Ministers in compiling the report on gang culture.
	
		
			 Minister Meeting with Home Office Minister Date 
			 Secretary of State Inter Ministerial Group: Dealing with Gang Culture 15 August 2011 
			 Secretary of State Inter Ministerial Group: Dealing with Gang Culture 5 September 2011 
			 Secretary of State Inter Ministerial Group: Dealing with Gang Culture 29 September 2011 
			 Secretary of State Visit with Home Secretary 6 October 2011 
			 Secretary of State Inter Ministerial Group: Dealing with Gang Culture 12 October 2011 
			 Secretary of State International Forum on Gangs 13 October 2011 
		
	
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), has also had a number of telephone conversations with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May).
	Officials from the Department for Work and Pensions were in frequent and regular contact with Home Office officials throughout this period, to contribute recommendations, to draft sections of the report, and to organise conferences. Senior officials attended the regular meetings chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Home Office.

Pensions: Public Sector

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many public sector employees in each pay quartile he expects to cease making contributions to their pension following planned increases in contribution rates.

Danny Alexander: holding answer 31 October 2011
	I have been asked to reply.
	The spending review 2010 announced progressive increases to the level of employee contributions equivalent to an average of 3.2 percentage points, to be phased in over three years from April 2012.
	As set out in my written ministerial statement of 19 July 2011, Official Report, columns 92-94WS, there will be no increase in employee contributions for those earning less that £15,000 and no more than a 1.5 percentage point increase in total by 2014-15 for those earning up to £21,000.
	The Government's assumption is that in total 1% of pay-bill will opt-out in the unfunded schemes as a result of the contribution increases. This has been scrutinized by the Office for Budget Responsibility. No assumption has been made about the distribution of opt-outs by pay quartile.

Remploy

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Remploy factories Ministers in his Department have visited in the last six months; and what representations they have received from Remploy employees on future business liability.

Maria Miller: I have visited both the Newcastle and Leven Remploy factories in the last six months. Also as part of the Sayce consultation, the Department held a series of six events where Remploy employees had an opportunity to directly contribute to the consultation in addition to written and online submissions. I attended the consultation event in Reading where I met and discussed the Sayce recommendations with employees. I have also held two briefing meetings for MPs.
	No direct representations have been received from Remploy employees on the future of the business, although we have consulted on the recommendations of the Sayce report and have received almost 1,400 responses, including responses from Remploy employees. We will take time to analyse the consultation responses in detail and carefully consider the implications for future policy. We will publish a summary of responses received and a statement on future policy as soon as practicably possible.

Remploy

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what funding he provided to Remploy to improve its technology for the manufacture of life jackets in the last three years.

Maria Miller: In the three years to March 2011 the capital expenditure for the textile business was £125,000. I am unable to specify what funding has been provided for Remploy to improve its technology for the manufacture of life jackets in the last three years.
	The Department agrees the overall funding and performance targets each year with Remploy. The day to day running of the company and achievements of targets is the responsibility of the Remploy board and executive team.

Social Rented Housing: Employment

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of families living in social housing had no-one in the household in employment in the latest period for which figures are available.

Steve Webb: We have restricted this analysis to working age households because the high proportion of pensioner households not in employment would otherwise risk distorting the overall answer.
	
		
			 Proportion of working age households in the social rented sector by employment status 
			 Employment status within household Percentage 
			 No working age adult in employment 49 
			 At least one working age adult in employment 51 
			 Notes: 1. The FRS is a nationally representative sample of approximately 25,000 UK private households. Data for 2009-10, the latest year available, were collected between April 2009 and March 2010. 2. The figures from the Family Resources Survey are based on a sample of households which have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors which align the Family Resources Survey to Government office region population by age and sex. Estimates are subject to sampling error and remaining non-response error. 3. The 'social rented sector' is defined as all cases where the local authority is the landlord, and all housing associations including New Town Development Corporations and the Scottish Special Housing Association except where accommodation is part of the job. 4. A Household is defined as a single person or group of people living at the same address as their only or main residence, who either share one meal a day together or share the living accommodation (ie a living room). A household will consist of one of more benefit units (ie two single adults in a two bed household would count as two benefit units, but only one household). 5. A benefit unit is defined as a single adult or a married or cohabiting couple and dependent children; from January 2006 same-sex partners (civil partners and cohabitees) are included in the same benefit unit. 6. For married or cohabiting couples, if either individual is classified as a pensioner, then the benefit unit is classified as a pensioner benefit unit and therefore excluded from this analysis. 7. Working age households are defined as households having at least one (possibly more) working age benefit units. 8. The employment status of adults has been defined using the Adult Employment Status—based on the ILO definition. Source: Family Resources Survey 2009/10

Third Sector

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much direct funding his Department has allocated to each civil society organisation in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The Department has allocated direct funding to civil society organisations as follows:
	
		
			 DWP's payments to civil society organisations 
			 £ million 
			 Description 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 
			 Direct payments to Motability (indicative) 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 
			 Payments made to credit unions (2012-13 onwards yet to be decided) 16.7 11.8 — — — 
			 Amounts paid to Community Development Fund 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Total payments 18.8 12.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 
		
	
	As the Minister for Pensions Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Thornbury and Yate (Steve Webb), advised the House on 24 October 2011, Official Report, columns 7-8, the Department is looking into how it can best continue to support credit unions to modernise and expand in the future, including funding for future years of the spending review.
	The Department contracts for many services and programmes and we do not keep records by type of organisation. Therefore to determine which of those are civil society organisations and how much we pay to each of them could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Work Capability Assessment

Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) work capability assessments, (b) work capability assessments for new employment and support allowance claimants and (c) work capability assessments for reassessed incapacity benefit claimants were carried out in each month since February 2011.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) The Department regularly publishes official statistics on the number of work capability assessments (WCAs) completed for claimants in receipt of employment and support allowance (ESA). The latest report was published in October 2011 and can be found on the internet at the following link:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page=esa_wca
	This publication does not include information on incapacity benefit (IB) reassessment (see section c for more detail). Therefore statistics on the overall number of WCAs completed in each month since February are currently unavailable.
	(b) Tables 2 and 2a in the publication show monthly statistics on completed initial and repeat assessments for ESA claims from October 2008 up to May 2011 (the latest data available).
	The following table shows completed assessments since February 2011. This is a summary of Tables 2 and 2a in the publication. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100 and as a result may not sum to row totals.
	
		
			 Completed assessments by month of assessment 
			  Initial assessments Repeat assessments Total 
			 March 2011 45,100 20,400 65,500 
			 April 2011 31,700 15,000 46,600 
			 May 2011 35,700 17,600 53,400 
			 Notes: 1. Information relating to periods beyond May 2011 will be published on a quarterly basis as usual going forward. 2. The data presented in the table comes from benefit claims data held by the Department for Work and Pensions and functional assessment data from Atos Healthcare. 3. These figures do not include IB reassessment claims. 4. A small number of clerical assessments, where the result cannot be determined from DWP benefits data, are excluded from these figures. 
		
	
	(c) The reassessment of existing incapacity benefits customers using the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) was rolled out nationally from February 2011.
	Letters are being issued as planned to 11,000 claimants per week informing them that their reassessment is about to commence. To manage the process smoothly, volumes were gradually ramped up from the end of February, and the numbers reached 11,000 per week in May. As at the end of September 2011, approximately 128,000 WCAs have been completed for IB Reassessment claimants. After the WCA, the decision on entitlement to benefit is taken by a DWP Decision Maker.
	No official statistics are available on WCAs completed for IB Reassessment claimants so the information on the number of WCAs completed above is from the Department's management information system. It relates to those assessments where Atos have made a recommendation based on either a face to face assessment or cleared by scrutiny of the customer's medical questionnaire. It does not include those customers whose WCA recommendations were returned to Jobcentre Plus because they had not complied with the process.
	As it was never the intention to publish this management information, it has not been subject to the same rigorous quality assurance processes that are used for official statistics and as a result it should be used with a degree of caution. In addition, a monthly breakdown of the management information is not reliable because the data are captured by week. This means that for those weeks that cross over a month end the data cannot be attributed to any particular calendar month.
	Due to the overall length of the incapacity benefits reassessment process, information on the entire process including the final outcomes and subsequent destinations of claimants being reassessed is not yet available. Individual level data are being collected, but it will take time to complete because of the overall length of the reassessment process. The Department plans to publish data on the outcomes of the reassessment process but only once it has been quality assured and is considered robust.

Work Capability Assessment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many work capability assessments for claimants in receipt of employment and support allowance were completed in each week from the beginning of February 2011 to date.

Chris Grayling: The Department regularly publishes official statistics on the number of work capability assessments (WCAs) completed for claimants in receipt of employment and support allowance (ESA). The latest report was published in October 2011 and can be found on the internet at the following link:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page=esa_wca
	Tables 2 and 2a in the above publication show monthly statistics on completed initial and repeat assessments for ESA claims from October 2008 up to May 2011 (the latest data available).
	The following table shows completed assessments since February 2011. This is a summary of Tables 2 and 2a in the publication. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred and as a result may not sum to row totals.
	
		
			 Completed assessments by month of assessment 
			  Initial assessments Repeat assessments Total 
			 March 2011 45,100 20,400 65,500 
			 April 2011 31,700 15,000 46,600 
			 May 2011 35,700 17,600 53,400 
			 Notes: 1. The data presented above come from benefit claims data held by the Department for Work and Pensions and functional assessment data from Atos Healthcare. 2. These figures do not include IB reassessment claims. 3. A small number of clerical assessments, where the result cannot be determined from DWP benefits data, are excluded from these figures. 
		
	
	Information relating to periods beyond May 2011 will be published on a quarterly basis as usual going forward.

Work Programme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how long he plans to prevent Work programme providers from making public their performance data;
	(2)  if he will lift the contractual ban on publication by Work programme providers of their performance data;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Cabinet Office's data transparency initiative on the publication of Work programme performance data.

Chris Grayling: There are no plans to allow Work programme providers to share their performance data ahead of the publication of official Work programme statistics, nor do we intend to change the contract clause that prevents providers from publishing their performance data. This is essential to ensure that the publication of official information is properly managed in line with the UK Statistics Authority legislation. Early publication of providers' own performance data could undermine the principle of making the information available to all at the same time through the official publication process and also impact on the accuracy of the data.
	The Work programme only started in June 2011, it lasts two years for each individual and, as providers only receive job outcome payments once a participant has been in employment and off benefit for up to 26 weeks, it will be 2012 before performance data start to be recorded. The intention is therefore to publish official statistics on referrals to the Work programme from spring 2012 and on job outcomes from autumn 2012.
	In line with the Government's transparency agenda we have published providers' minimum service offers to all customers to ensure that customers are aware what they can expect, and that providers live up to what they have told us they will deliver.

Learning Disability

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people of working age with a learning disability in each local authority area who are known to social services are in (a) paid full-time, (b) paid part-time, (c) unpaid full-time and (d) unpaid part-time work.

Paul Burstow: Data on the number of working age adults with a learning disability known to councils with adult social services responsibilities in employment is collected and published by the NHS Information Centre for health and social care via the National Adult Social Care Intelligence Service online analytical processing tool.
	Information for those working in unpaid employment split into part time or full-time unpaid work is not collected centrally. The number of working age adults with a learning disability working in only unpaid work and those working in both paid and unpaid work have been provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Number of working age adults with a learning disability known to councils with adult social service responsibilities  (1)   by employment status, during 2009-10  (2)  —England 
			 Rounded numbers 
			 CASSR name Working as a paid employee or self-employed (30 or more hours per week) Working as a paid employee or self-employed (less than 30 hours per week)  (3) Working as a paid employee or self-employed and in unpaid voluntary work  (4) In unpaid voluntary work only 
			 Cumbria 10 55 0 55 
			 Northumberland 15 40 10 70 
			 Gateshead 0 25 0 25 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 0 20 0 65 
			 North Tyneside 5 35 0 0 
			 South Tyneside 0 0 0 0 
			 Sunderland 0 30 5 55 
			 Hartlepool 0 55 10 20 
			 Middlesbrough 10 50 30 50 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 0 25 0 20 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 0 10 0 25 
			 Durham 0 55 10 105 
			 Darlington 0 15 5 15 
			 Barnsley 0 10 0 85 
			 Doncaster 5 45 35 40 
			 Rotherham 5 35 75 35 
			 Sheffield 10 30 65 60 
			 Bradford 0 80 25 70 
			 Calderdale 5 40 5 45 
			 Kirklees 50 35 0 85 
			 Leeds 10 80 0 15 
			 Wakefield 5 35 5 35 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 5 55 10 50 
			 Kingston upon Hull 0 0 0 10 
			 North East Lincolnshire 10 65 10 40 
			 North Lincolnshire 15 15 0 15 
			 North Yorkshire 10 55 5 225 
			 York 0 20 5 30 
			 Bolton 0 10 5 50 
			 Bury 5 30 0 45 
			 Manchester 15 60 15 75 
			 Oldham 15 40 . 5 35 
			 Rochdale 0 10 0 0 
			 Salford 5 35 0 10 
			 Stockport 5 80 10 25 
			 Tameside 15 45 40 550 
		
	
	
		
			 Trafford 0 30 0 5 
			 Wigan 0 30 5 65 
			 Knowsley 0 10 0 25 
			 Liverpool 115 25 0 50 
			 Sefton 0 30 10 60 
			 St. Helens 0 20 0 25 
			 Wirral 5 45 10 60 
			 Halton 0 35 15 65 
			 Warrington 5 20 5 100 
			 Lancashire 5 120 15 215 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 0 5 0 10 
			 Blackpool 0 20 0 15 
			 Cheshire East 20 20 0 0 
			 Cheshire West and Chester 15 50 0 30 
			 Warwickshire 5 55 10 60 
			 Birmingham 10 55 0 150 
			 Coventry 0 35 5 5 
			 Dudley 5 30 10 80 
			 Sandwell 15 5 0 10 
			 Solihull 0 15 5 35 
			 Walsall 0 5 0 0 
			 Wolverhampton 0 15 0 10 
			 Staffordshire 5 95 15 140 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 10 35 25 80 
			 Herefordshire l5 45 5 45 
			 Worcestershire 10 65 10 125 
			 Shropshire 10 55 10 155 
			 Telford and the Wrekin 0 15 0 15 
			 Lincolnshire 0 90 5 80 
			 Northamptonshire 55 45 0 0 
			 Derbyshire 5 45 10 120 
			 Derby 0 30 5 0 
			 Leicestershire 10 45 25 150 
			 Leicester 0 105 30 35 
			 Rutland 0 25 0 5 
			 Nottinghamshire. 60 120 0 90 
			 Nottingham 5 5 0 10 
			 Hertfordshire 25 115 5 55 
			 Norfolk 40 120 70 105 
			 Oxfordshire 5 115 25 80 
			 Suffolk 10 60 0 105 
			 Luton 5 20 0 35 
			 Buckinghamshire 20 100 (5)— (5)— 
			 Milton Keynes 5 55 20 15 
			 Bracknell Forest 0 40 15 10 
			 West Berkshire 5 25 10 145 
			 Reading 5 25 5 65 
			 Slough 5 20 0 15 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 5 35 15 45 
			 Wokingham 0 90 0 20 
			 Essex 5 210 5 15 
			 Southend-on-Sea 0 55 25 5 
			 Thurrock 0 15 0 20 
			 Cambridgeshire 10 100 0 95 
			 Peterborough 25 50 10 55 
			 Bedford 0 15 5 35 
			 Central Bedfordshire 5 20 0 25 
			 Camden 10 30 15 35 
			 Greenwich 0 30 5 40 
			 Hackney 5 25 0 15 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 10 20 0 20 
		
	
	
		
			 Islington 5 25 0 5 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 25 20 230 
			 Lambeth 5 25 0 70 
			 Lewisham 0 45 5 30 
			 Southwark 20 120 5 70 
			 Tower Hamlets 0 20 0 5 
			 Wandsworth 0 35 0 30 
			 Westminster 0 40 5 10 
			 City of London 0 0 0 5 
			 Barking and Dagenham 0 15 0 0 
			 Barnet 10 70 15 35 
			 Bexley 5 90 0 0 
			 Brent 0 35 0 15 
			 Bromley 15 135 5 20 
			 Croydon 15 65 5 70 
			 Ealing 15 85 0 55 
			 Enfield 15 75 30 40 
			 Haringey 10 20 0 25 
			 Harrow 5 60 5 40 
			 Havering 0 25 0 10 
			 Hillingdon 0 0 0 30 
			 Hounslow 10 25 0 15 
			 Kingston upon Thames 15 20 5 35 
			 Merton 10 25 0 30 
			 Newham 0 25 0 20 
			 Redbridge 0 20 60 25 
			 Richmond upon Thames 5 40 5 5 
			 Sutton 0 30 5 20 
			 Waltham Forest 0 90 0 15 
			 Isle of Wight 15 55 0 45 
			 Surrey 55 255 10 160 
			 West Sussex 0 280 0 295 
			 Dorset 5 40 5 95 
			 Bournemouth 25 35 0 20 
			 Poole 5 20 0 25 
			 Hampshire 60 285 0 150 
			 Portsmouth 5 30 0 0 
			 Southampton 0 30 0 0 
			 East Sussex 0 60 10 90 
			 Brighton and Hove 30 75 10 105 
			 Wiltshire (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			 Swindon 0 15 0 15 
			 Kent 25 175 o. 100 
			 Medway Towns 0 10 0 35 
			 Cornwall 10 45 5 150 
			 Gloucestershire 40 120 15 155 
			 Somerset 0 45 10 65 
			 Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 0 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 5 15 0 30 
			 Bristol 5 55 0 40 
			 North Somerset 0 35 10 50 
			 South Gloucestershire 10 30 o 15 
			 Devon 5 75 0 0 
			 Plymouth 5 30 10 65 
		
	
	
		
			 Torbay 0 15 0 25 
			 (1) The information provided is derived from data collected annually on social services Adult Social Care-Combined Activity Return (ASC-CAR) from councils with adult social services responsibilities (CASSRs). (2) The information provided is the employment status of the service user at the time of their latest assessment or review and covers the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010. (3) This column includes clients who work regularly as a paid employee or are self-employed but who work less than weekly. (4) Clients counted in this column should also appear in one of the first two columns, according to the number of hours they work per week. (5) Data are not available. Source: ASC-CAR Table L1

Learning Disability: Social Services

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people with a learning disability who are partially purchasing their own care packages.

Paul Burstow: Data on the number of people with a learning disability who are partially purchasing their own care packages is not collected centrally.
	However, the number who meet the entire cost of their own services where the assessment and care management is done at the expense of the Council with Adult Social Services Responsibilities (CASSR); and the number of adults receiving services that are funded fully or in part by CASSRs is collected and published by the NHS Information Centre for health and social care via the National Adult Social Care Intelligence Service online analytical processing tool.
	The following table shows the number of adults with a learning disability who are receiving services funded fully or in part by CASSRs during 2009-10, by age group.
	
		
			 Rounded numbers 
			 England All ages Adults aged 18-64 Adults aged 65 and over 
			 Barking and Dagenham 430 400 35 
			 Barnet 825 745 80 
			 Barnsley 595 540 55 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 420 385 35 
			 Bedford 475 435 40 
			 Bexley 415 375 40 
			 Birmingham 3,490 3,215 275 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 370 320 50 
			 Blackpool 465 420 45 
			 Bolton 665 605 60 
			 Bournemouth 510 455 55 
			 Bracknell Forest 315 285 35 
			 Bradford 1,855 1,700 155 
			 Brent 610 575 35 
			 Brighton and Hove 800 720 80 
			 Bristol 1,165 970 195 
			 Bromley 955 850 105 
			 Buckinghamshire 1,310 1,240 70 
			 Bury 465 415 45 
			 Calderdale 660 620 45 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,550 1,435 110 
			 Camden 425 385 40 
			 Central Bedfordshire 495 460 35 
			 Cheshire East 965 855 105 
			 Cheshire West and Chester 910 855 55 
			 City of London 15 15 0 
			 Cornwall 2,365 2,160 205 
			 Coventry 780 755 25 
			 Croydon 965 905 60 
			 Cumbria 1,420 1,255 165 
			 Darlington 315 265 50 
			 Derby 610 520 90 
			 Derbyshire 1,895 1,690 205 
			 Devon 2,140 1,815 325 
			 Doncaster 825 725 100 
			 Dorset 905 840 70 
			 Dudley 945 850 95 
			 Durham 1,895 1,730 165 
			 Ealing 710 655 55 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 895 770 125 
			 East Sussex 1,485 1,310 175 
			 Enfield 830 750 80 
			 Essex 3,830 3,450 385 
			 Gateshead 480 420 55 
			 Gloucestershire 1,940 1,760 180 
			 Greenwich 570 550 20 
			 Hackney 615 580 35 
			 Halton 380 350 30 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 370 310 60 
			 Hampshire 3,220 3,030 190 
		
	
	
		
			 Haringey 615 570 45 
			 Harrow 485 445 45 
			 Hartlepool 325 290 35 
			 Havering 430 400 30 
			 Herefordshire 545 480 65 
			 Hertfordshire 3,025 2,735 290 
			 Hillingdon 485 455 30 
			 Hounslow 560 510 45 
			 Isle of Wight 455 410 45 
			 Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 
			 Islington 490 445 50 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 305 265 40 
			 Kent 3,850 3,545 305 
			 Kingston upon Hull 565 500 65 
			 Kingston upon Thames 335 300 40 
			 Kirklees 1,185 1,085 100 
			 Knowsley 630 595 35 
			 Lambeth 730 690 40 
			 Lancashire 3,475 3,140 335 
			 Leeds 1,790 1,595 195 
			 Leicester 960 870 90 
			 Leicestershire 1,390 1,255 140 
			 Lewisham 625 575 50 
			 Lincolnshire 1,810 1,640 170 
			 Liverpool 1,780 1,575 200 
			 Luton 515 490 25 
			 Manchester 1,680 1,540 135 
			 Medway Towns 640 580 55 
			 Merton 395 370 20 
			 Middlesbrough 625 570 55 
			 Milton Keynes 490 470 25 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 845 770 75 
			 Newham 680 630 45 
			 Norfolk 2,270 2,015 255 
			 North East Lincolnshire 475 425 50 
			 North Lincolnshire 400 370 30 
			 North Somerset 510 410 95 
			 North Tyneside 480 445 30 
			 North Yorkshire' 1,580 1,420 160 
			 Northamptonshire 1,535 1,385 150 
			 Northumberland 1,390 1,220 170 
			 Nottingham 720 655 65 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,330 2,180 150 
			 Oldham 640 570 70 
			 Oxfordshire 1,420 1,250 170 
			 Peterborough 495 470 25 
			 Plymouth 945 895 50 
			 Poole 450 435 15 
			 Portsmouth 520 475 40 
			 Reading 465 420 45 
			 Redbridge 595 545 50 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 475 450 25 
			 Richmond upon Thames 370 325 40 
			 Rochdale 655 595 60 
			 Rotherham 750 685 65 
			 Rutland 80 65 15 
			 Salford 710 615 95 
			 Sandwell 765 660 105 
			 Sefton 820 730 90 
		
	
	
		
			 Sheffield 1,425 1,280 145 
			 Shropshire 865 790 70 
			 Slough 340 320 15 
			 Solihull 545 490 55 
			 Somerset 1,665 1,525 140 
			 South Gloucestershire 945 765 180 
			 South Tyneside 545 485 60 
			 Southampton 680 615 65 
			 Southend-on-Sea 620 555 65 
			 Southwark 530 485 45 
			 St Helens 355 325 30 
			 Staffordshire 1,925 1,755 170 
			 Stockport 775 720 55 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 505 500 10 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 790 695 95 
			 Suffolk 1,615 1,430 190 
			 Sunderland 750 705 45 
			 Surrey (1)— 2,530 (1)— 
			 Sutton 690 610 85 
			 Swindon 605 545 60 
			 Tameside 745 690 55 
			 Telford and the Wrekin 425 400 25 
			 Thurrock 270 240 25 
			 Torbay 420 365 55 
			 Tower Hamlets 625 570 55 
			 Trafford 540 490 50 
			 Wakefield 880 790 90 
			 Walsall 720 625 95 
			 Waltham Forest 560 515 45 
			 Wandsworth 730 645 85 
			 Warrington 475 430 45 
			 Warwickshire 1,065 950 115 
			 West Berkshire 390 365 30 
			 West Sussex 2,025 1,905 120 
			 Westminster 550 490 55 
			 Wigan 865 765 95 
			 Wiltshire 1,105 990 115 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 370 350 20 
			 Wirral 895 810 85 
			 Wokingham 425 405 25 
			 Wolverhampton 585 525 60 
			 Worcestershire 1,550 1,450 100 
			 York 490 445 50 
			 (1 )Data not available. Notes: 1. The information provided is derived from data collected annually on the social services Referrals, Assessment and Packages of Care (RAP) Return from Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities (CASSRs).  2. The information provided includes all clients whose Primary Client Type is "Learning Disabilities". In some councils each client has an overarching client classification, but may receive a different classification for a specific assessment, in these circumstances the overarching client type is used for the data collection. Data is not collected centrally for secondary classifications, thus clients with learning disabilities as a secondary classification will not be included in these figures. Source: RAP P1

Primary Care Trusts

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the results of his Department's study on standardising primary care support services.

Simon Burns: There is no departmental study on standardising primary care support services.
	However, subject to the passage of legislation, the commissioning of primary care services will be the responsibility of the NHS Commissioning Board from April 2013 and as such, work is on-going to develop options on how the related functions could be discharged.
	One aspect of this work is the development of proposals for the discharge of primary care support functions. It is the intention to publish the outcomes of the development work in due course.

Primary Care Trusts: South West

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what visits South West Strategic Health Authority staff have made to primary care support service offices in (a) Exeter and (b) the south-west for the purposes of assessing the quality and efficiency of their work.

Simon Burns: This is a matter for the national health service locally. However, the South of England Strategic Health Authority (SHA) (formerly know as South West SHA) has advised that none of its staff have visited primary care support service offices to assess the quality and efficiency of their work as this is already managed and assessed by primary care trusts locally who will already have the necessary information and assurance.
	While the SHA has facilitated regional discussions, all decisions will be made locally by primary care trust boards.

Primary Care Trusts: South West

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what communication there has been between the commercial department of his Department and primary care trusts in the south-west on the bid by NHS Shared Business Service to operate primary care support services; and if he will publish it;
	(2)  what role (a) his Department, (b) strategic health authorities and (c) primary care trust boards will have in taking the final decisions on the contract for primary care support services in the south-west;
	(3)  what representations he has received from GPs and other primary care professionals on the future of primary care support services in the south-west;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the performance of NHS Shared Business Services in supporting NHS primary care;
	(5)  what assessment he has made of the bid from NHS Shared Business Services to operate primary care support services in the South West strategic health authority region;
	(6)  what assessment he has made of the performance of in-house primary care support services in the South West strategic health authority region;
	(7)  what comparative assessment he has made of the performance of Devon primary care support services relative to other such services in England;
	(8)  what account has been taken of potential redundancy costs in considering the bid by NHS Shared Business Services to operate primary care support services in the south-west;
	(9)  how many jobs would be transferred to India under the proposal by NHS Shared Business Services to operate primary care support services in the south-west;
	(10)  what consideration he gives to potential economic and social effects of job losses and outsourcing when considering the cost benefit analysis of contracting primary care support services;
	(11)  which body would be responsible for providing the services provided by the existing primary care support services in the south-west which are not included in the draft contract with NHS Shared Business Services.

Simon Burns: The Department has not undertaken a separate assessment of the performance of in-house primary care support services in the South West strategic health authority (SHA) region.
	A letter was issued from the commercial director of the Department of Health to commissioners in Wiltshire primary care trust (PCT), Bristol PCT, Gloucestershire PCT, Devon PCT, Somerset PCT, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly PCT and Dorset PCT. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library and is available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersandcirculars/Dearcolleagueletters/DH_102394
	In addition, a letter was issued from the commercial director to Jeff James, chief executive of NHS Wiltshire, on 3 August 2011 and a copy of the letter has been placed in the Library.
	SHAs are required to submit contracts for primary care support services in the south-west for approval by the Department where there is a capital expenditure in excess of £35 million. Equivalent arrangements between PCTs and SHAs will be for local determination.
	A search of the Department's ministerial correspondence database has identified one item of correspondence from general practitioners and other primary care professionals received since 1 January 2011 about the future of primary care support services in the south-west. This figure represents correspondence received by the Department's central correspondence team.
	A separate assessment has not been carried out by the Department on the performance of NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) in supporting national health service primary care. However, as shareholder in NHS SBS the Department requires NHS SBS to undertake annual benchmarking of performance to all NHS customers.
	The Department has not undertaken a separate assessment of the bid from NHS SBS to operate primary care support services in the South West SHA region.
	The Department has not undertaken a separate assessment of the performance of in-house primary care support services in the South West SHA authority region.
	Information on potential redundancy costs in considering the bid by NHS SBS to operate primary care support services in the south-west is not held centrally.
	Information on the number of jobs that may be transferred to India under the proposal by NHS SBS to operate primary care support services in the south-west is not held centrally.
	The Department has not done a cost benefit analysis of contracting primary care support services, because local NHS organisations are responsible for decisions on the arrangements for these services.
	It is the responsibility of local NHS organisations in the south-west to determine which local bodies are responsible for the delivery of support services.

Surgery: Tees Valley

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many planned operations have been cancelled by hospitals in Teesside in the last 12 months.

Simon Burns: Information is not centrally held in the format requested. Data on the number of elective operations cancelled at the last minute for non-clinical reasons between quarter two, 2010-11 and quarter one, 2011-12 for acute national health service trusts in Teesside is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  2010-11 2011-12 
			 Organisation name Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Quarter 1 
			 South Tees Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 114 139 130 104 
			 North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust 46 45 45 31 
			 Source: Department of Health dataset QMCO

Waiting Lists: Ashton under Lyne

David Heyes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people waited over six months for NHS treatment in Ashton-under-Lyne constituency in each year since 1997.

Simon Burns: Information on the number of patients waiting over six months for in-patient admission at the primary care trusts (PCTs) and heath authorities (HAs) covering the Ashton under Lyne constituency from March 1997 to March 2010 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Number of patients still waiting over six months at month end 
			 As at March each year Oldham PCT Tameside and Glossop PCT West Pennine HA 
			 1997 — — 3,490 
			 1998 — — 3,829 
			 1999 — — 2,348 
			 2000 — — 2,236 
			 2001 — — 1,939 
			 2002 — — 1,940 
			 2003 801 763 — 
			 2004 398 177 — 
			 2005 193 45 — 
			 2006 0 0 — 
			 2007 0 0 — 
			 2008 0 0 — 
			 2009 0 0 — 
			 2010 0 1 — 
			 Notes: 1. Since 2006, figures reflect number of patients waiting over 26 weeks. 2. Data on in-patient waiting lists not collected after March 2010. 3. Due to boundary changes in 2006 West Pennine HA became Oldham PCT and Tameside and Glossop PCT Source: Department of Health KH07, monthly monitoring return. 
		
	
	Information on the number of patients waiting over six months for first out-patient appointment following general practitioner referral at the PCTs and HAs covering the Ashton under Lyne constituency from March 1997 to March 2010 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Number of patients still waiting over 26 weeks at month end 
			 Month ending Oldham PCT Tameside and Glossop PCT West Pennine HA 
			 June 1997 — — 600 
			 March 1998 — — 1401 
			 March 1999 — — 2,749 
			 March 2000 — — 1433 
			 March 2001 — — 449 
			 March 2002 — — 0 
			 March 2003 0 0 — 
			 March 2004 0 0 — 
			 March 2005 0 0 — 
			 March 2006 0 0 — 
			 March 2007 n/a n/a — 
			 March 2008 n/a n/a — 
		
	
	
		
			 March 2009 n/a n/a — 
			 March 2010 n/a n/a — 
			 Notes: 1. Data on out-patient waiting lists not collected after March 2010. 2. Number waiting over 26 weeks not available after March 2006. Source: Department of Health QM08 
		
	
	In addition, since 2007, waiting times on a referral to treatment (RTT) basis have been published. Information on the number of patients who waited over 26 weeks on an admitted RTT pathway at PCTs and HAs covering the Ashton under Lyne constituency in each year between 2008 and 2011 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Number of admitted patients who waited 26 weeks or more from RTT 
			 Financial year Oldham PCT Tameside and Glossop PCT 
			 2008-09 1,204 1,200 
			 2009-10 1,034 942 
			 2010-11 1,696 1,224 
			 Note: Data shown for whole financial year. Source: Department of Health RTT return 
		
	
	Information on the number of patients who waited over 26 weeks on a non-admitted RTT pathway at PCTs and HAs covering the Ashton under Lyne constituency in each year between 2008 and 2011 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Number of non-admitted patients who waited 26 weeks or more from RTT 
			 Financial year Oldham PCT Tameside and Glossop   PCT 
			 2008-09 2,336 3,712 
			 2009-10 960 2,090 
			 2010-11 1,292 2,254 
			 Note: Data shown for whole financial year. Source: Department of Health RTT return

Written Questions: Government Responses

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reply to the letter of 30 September 2011 from the hon. Member for Exeter on the future of primary care support services in Devon.

Simon Burns: A reply was issued to the right hon. Member on 25 October 2011.

Arts: Finance

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of an arm's length approach to Arts Council England's funding; and what steps he has taken to ensure value for money in the funding of arts organisations since May 2010.

Edward Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), and I reviewed the work of Arts Council England (ACE) at the time of the spending review, and as part of our review of the Department's arm's length bodies. We remain committed to an arm's length approach to ACE's funding. We will be publishing the findings from that review shortly as part of the triennial review of ACE.
	The Management Statement and Financial Memorandum produced by the Department sets out a clear responsibility for ACE to ensure best value for money. The Department participates fully in Parliament's scrutiny of ACE's responsibility. The National Audit Office has access to ACE's books and records for the purposes of examining the economy, the efficiency and effectiveness with which ACE has used its resources; and ACE's Accounting Officer gives evidence when summoned before the Public Accounts Committee on the use and stewardship of public funds by ACE.

Departmental Lost Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department has lost any (a) computers, (b) mobile phones, (c) BlackBerrys and (d) other IT equipment since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: Since May 2010, two memory sticks, three BlackBerrys and one mobile phone have been lost.
	If a mobile phone or BlackBerry device is lost or stolen, staff are required to report it immediately so that it can be disabled remotely. Staff can use only Department issued encrypted memory sticks to carry departmental information.

Design: Procurement

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to reduce administrative burdens for design companies competing for public sector contracts.

John Penrose: While the process of bidding for public sector contracts will involve some administrative costs for both the public sector organisation and potential bidders, a number of new initiatives have been put in place. Firstly, all public sector opportunities can be found in one central place, Contracts Finder, which went live in January 2011. Also the Department has removed the need to undertake lengthy pre-qualification questionnaires for projects under £100,000, which has shortened the procurement process, thus reducing the administrative and cost burden incurred by the supplier.
	The public sector as a whole is also looking to shorten the time taken to conduct Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) tenders with a number of measures being considered at present, to make the procurement process more effective and efficient. One of these is to conduct earlier market engagement before the procurement process even starts, to help shape actual requirements, which lead to better drafted statement of requirements, that are outcome based. Thus providing a clearer idea to suppliers about what is actually required.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces have been deployed in each military action in which the UK has been involved in each of the last 10 years.

Peter Luff: The term 'military action' has been understood as combat operations for the purpose of answering this question. UK armed forces have contributed to other activities around the world including humanitarian relief; non-combatant evacuation operations; and peace support under either national tasking or UN auspices.
	As of 31 August 2011, approximately 109,000 past and present members of the UK Armed Forces were identified as having been deployed to Afghanistan since the operation began in 2001. A more detailed breakdown is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Number 
			 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2007 (53.5 months) 28,550 
			 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 25,950 
			 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 31,570 
			 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 38,630 
			 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 41,090 
			 1 April 2011 to 31 August 2011 (five months) 23,400 
			 Note: All figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 
		
	
	The figures do not include personnel who deployed to Afghanistan between 1 January 2003 and 14 October 2005 and for which data is not available, although the numbers were low during this period.
	As of 31 August 2011, approximately 142,000 past and present members of the UK armed forces were identified as having been deployed to Iraq since the operation began in 2003. A more detailed breakdown is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Number 
			 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2007 (48 months) 126,000 
			 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 21,920 
			 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 18,010 
			 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 5,200 
			 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 520 
		
	
	
		
			 1 April 2011 to 31 August 2011 (five months) 190 
			 Note  s  : 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. "Combat" operations ceased on 31 July 2009. 
		
	
	These figures exclude personnel who are deployed to posts supporting these operations which are not geographically located within Afghanistan and Iraq.
	Individuals are only recorded once per financial year per country, however totals include personnel who deployed to both operational theatres in the same financial year. As a number of individuals have deployed more than once, the total numbers deployed will be less than the sum of the individual years.
	The figures used in this response have been provided by Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA). Due to ongoing validation work, the data provided is provisional.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many serving personnel of each rank have been deployed in the recruitment of new personnel in the (a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) RAF in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the cost to the public purse was of recruitment for new personnel for the (a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) RAF in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: The information requested is provided in the following table:
	
		
			 Headcount 
			   Total Royal Navy Army RAF 
			 Service personnel      
			 OF6/1* Commodore, Air Commodore, Brigadier or equivalent 2 0 2 0 
			 OF5 Capt (RN), Colonel, Gp Capt or equivalent 10 3 5 2 
			 OF4 Cdr, Lt Colonel, Wg Cdr or equivalent 42 4 22 16 
			 OF3 Lt Cdr, Major, Sqn Ldr or equivalent 167 21 105 41 
			 OF2 Lt (RN), Captain, Fit Lt or equivalent 193 43 81 69 
			 OF1 Sub Lt, 2Lt, Fg Off/Pilot Off or equivalent 30 1 29 0 
			   — 0 0 0 
			 OR9 WO1, Warrant Officer or equivalent 44 24 15 5 
			 OR8 WO2, C/Tech or equivalent 115 5 106 4 
			 OR7 Chief Petty Off/CSgt/FS or equivalent 195 68 111 16 
			 OR6 Petty Off/Sgt or equivalent 545 96 315 134 
			 OR4 Leading Rate/Cpl 362 44 110 208 
			 OR3 Able Rate/JT/LCpl or equivalent 46 2 44 0 
			 OR2 Ordinary Rate/Private/SAC or equivalent 275 28 232 15 
		
	
	
		
			 MOD civilians      
			  Band B2 1 1 0 0 
			  Band C1 34 1 32 1 
			  Band C2 24 3 17 4 
			  Band D 36 1 28 7 
			  Band E1 336 46 237 53 
			  Band E2 153 4 93 56 
			  Civilian medical practitioner 1 0 0 1 
			  Medical technical officer 4 11 0 10 1 
			  Military support function (band C1). 6 0 0 6 
			  Military support function (band C2) 6 3 0 3 
			  Military support function (band D) 4 0 0 4 
			  Retired officer 3 1 1 0 0 
			  Youth worker 1 1 0 0 
			  Senior information officer 1 0 0 1 
			  Senior optometrist 2 0 0 2 
			   — 0 0 0 
			  Skill zone 1 10 0 8 2 
			  Skill zone 2 14 1 13 0 
			  Skill zone 3 8 2 6 0 
			  Skill zone 4 0 0 0 0 
			  Total 2,675 403 1,621 651 
		
	
	The Ministry of Defence has recently undertaken a project to ascertain the full cost of regular and reserve recruiting and selection in financial year 2009-10. This includes all costs and manpower associated with recruiting and pre-joining activities, defined as all personnel who spend at least 25% of their working time engaged in recruiting activities or support to recruiting whether in recruitment centres, headquarters, advertising and marketing, or in the administration of such institutions as Welbeck college and the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme.
	In financial year 2009-10 the cost of all recruiting activities and in support to recruiting was some £232 million.
	Comparable information for previous years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Work is under way to improve efficiency and ways of working in the area of recruitment and selection, including the Department's Recruiting Partnership Programme and steps to rationalise marketing activity.

Departmental Pay

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the total monetary value of London weightings and London living allowances for staff in his Department.

Andrew Robathan: The total monetary value of London weighting allowance paid to civilian staff employed by the Ministry of Defence (excluding trading funds), based on annual rates in payment as at 17 October 2011 was £10,950,136. The number of staff in receipt of London allowances was 4,908.
	No additional London living allowances are paid although the Department does have London rates of base pay which are either 4% or 7% higher, dependent on grade, than rates paid to staff employed outside of London.

Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the security and policing role of the Ministry of Defence Police; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: A range of options that will determine the future role of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Police are currently under consideration. No final decisions have yet been taken, pending the outcome of formal consultation with the relevant staff associations and trade unions. However, the future role of the MOD Police will focus on the specialist areas of policing at which the force excels, and which are not readily available from Home Department police forces.

Children: Behaviour

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effect on the behaviour of children of long-term early years neglect; and what estimate he has made of the cost of dealing with the impact of such behaviour across their lifetime.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 24 October 2011
	The Department for Education has jointly funded with the Department of Health a programme of research as part of the Safeguarding Children Research Initiative. This comprises 12 major research studies which aim to support improvements in the early recognition of neglect and abuse.
	Key findings from research on the impact of neglect, summarised in the forthcoming overview of studies in the Initiative 'Safeguarding Children Across Services: Messages from research on identifying and responding to child maltreatment', show that neglect can have serious long-term effects on children's cognitive, socio-emotional, and behavioural development. The stage of life at which a child experiences neglectful parenting is important, as is the duration of the experience.
	Neglectful parenting can have an impact on early attachment and subsequent development. Children who receive care which is unpredictable, rejecting or insensitive are more likely to develop attachments which are less secure. Children who have experienced neglectful parenting may have poorer emotional knowledge and be less able to discriminate between different kinds of emotions.
	Long-term neglect in the early years is linked with conduct disorder, eating disorders, attempted and actual suicide, substance misuse, aggression and violent behaviour. Lack of stimulation in early childhood can result in delayed speech and language problems. The consequences of neglect are also known to extend to physical and mental health and to persist into adult life.
	A neglected child's system of response to stress develops abnormally and this in turn results in increased vulnerability to a range of psychological, emotional and physical health problems throughout the lifespan.
	Both structural and functional abnormalities are found in neglected children's brains. Changes in the areas of the brain that are concerned with emotional life and its regulation (physical, behavioural, emotional and attachment systems), have potentially highly damaging and long-term effects for those suffering neglect.
	The Department does not have an estimate of the cost of dealing with the impact of behaviour of children of long-term early years neglect.

Children: Local Authorities

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance he has given to local authorities on determining whether it is reasonable to place a child outside of the local authority's area under section 22c of the Children Act 1989.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 20 October 2011
	Statutory guidance issued under the Children Act 1989 (Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. March 2010), sets out the specified factors which must be taken into account when decisions are made to place a looked-after-child out of the area of the responsible authority. These include that the placement is the most appropriate placement for the child and will meet the child's needs set out in the care plan.

Departmental Air Travel

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what (a) contractual obligations and (b) other processes his Department uses in respect of travel management companies to ensure the best value is achieved when purchasing airline tickets.

Tim Loughton: The information is as follows:
	(a) The Department currently uses a jointly negotiated air travel booking contract together with HMRC and Home Office, using terms and conditions from a Government Procurement Service framework agreement. The travel management company providing travel booking services is Carlson Wagonlit UK Ltd. A new government-wide contract will be available shortly and the Department has indicated the intention to join it when available.
	(b) The Department provides advice on its intranet web pages which describes the policy that staff should always consider alternatives to travel such as video conferencing.
	(c) Carlson Wagonlit UK consultants have access to a variety of airline fares and deals including specially negotiated public sector air fares, low cost internet airlines and Carlson Wagonlit UK negotiated fares which offer additional savings from standard published rates.
	Upon receipt of the booking request, Carlson Wagonlit UK consultants search all the available fare types for the specific route and advise the client of the available options. This ensures the Department is able to benefit from all fare options and to maximise savings.

Departmental Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the average cost to his Department was of processing the payment of an invoice in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of invoices settled in that period his Department paid (a) electronically and (b) by cheque.

Tim Loughton: Since 2 November 2009 the Department for Education has contracted with DWP shared services for the provision of corporate and transactional services. This includes the receipt, processing and settlement of commercial invoices.
	During period April  to September 2011
	The full cost of processing the payment of an invoice electronically is £0.45, and manually £3.32.
	The proportion of invoices settled electronically was 98.46% and 1.54% were paid by cheque.

Departmental Manpower

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) full- and (b) part-time staff his Department employed in each year since 1997.

Tim Loughton: Information from 2007 for the Department and its predecessor, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, is set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Department Date Full-time Part-time Total 
			 Department for Children, Schools and Families 31 July 2007 2,473 457 2,930 
			  31 March 2008 2,353 440 2,793 
			  31 March 2009 2,406 436 2,842 
			  31 March 2010 2,265 426 2,691 
			      
			 Department for Education 31 March 2011 2,178 408 2,586 
		
	
	Information for part time staff in the predecessor departments before 2007 and covering the remainder of the period cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost. Similar information for full time staff in the predecessor Departments is published in archive records at the civil service and Office for National Statistics websites:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110426084705/http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/resources/stats-archive/archived-reports.aspx
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/search/index.html?newquery=civil+service+statistics

Departmental Public Expenditure

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department spent on new furnishings in the last year.

Tim Loughton: The Department has spent the following on new furnishings in the past 12 months:
	
		
			  £ 
			 Furniture for reasonable adjustments (workstation assessments) 5,142 
			 Office furniture 19,081 
		
	
	
		
			 Replacement carpet 647 
			 Total 24,870 
		
	
	The Department has recently re-used 200 desks from another Government Department for the set-up of the Standards and Testing Agency, avoiding c. £100,000 expenditure on new furnishings.
	For background information, the following table provides details of expenditure on furnishings for previous financial years.
	
		
			  Total new furnishings  (1)   (£) New vehicles 
			 2007/08 1,657,739 0 
			 2008/09 764,246 0 
			 2009/10 125,978 0 
			 (1) Desk, chairs, carpets, blinds and curtains.

Legal Opinion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many times his Department has sought advice from external counsel in (a) 2007, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the first six months of 2011.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education is aware of twelve matters on which it has directly sought advice from external counsel during the first six months of 2011. It does not include matters on which the Treasury Solicitor, acting on behalf of the Department in litigation, has sought advice from external counsel.
	The Department does not keep a central record of each time external counsel is instructed, so to provide accurate information on the number of times that counsel has been instructed in previous years could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Youth Services

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much each local authority in England reported in their S251 financial returns as their (a) budgeted and (b) outturn expenditure for 2010-11 in respect of (i) Youth Work, (ii) Connexions and (iii) all provision of activities for young people; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 18 October 2011
	Section 251 financial returns showing outturn spend in 2010-11 will be published later this financial year. The amounts individual local authorities budgeted to spend on (i) Youth Work; (ii) Connexions and (iii) all provision of activities for young people in 2010-11 may be found in the following table.
	There is significant variation in the amounts shown under each category which may reflect different interpretations of the guidance on completing the returns. The Department has commissioned a full review of how the data is collected, what it is used for, and of quality assurance.
	Decisions on levels of spending on services for young people are for local authorities to make. The Government encourages local authorities to invest in evidence-based early intervention strategies to improve outcomes for disadvantaged young people, and to avoid reductions likely to lead to higher costs in future years.
	
		
			 Planned gross spend on youth services 2010-11 
			 LA Ref Top tier local authority (i) youth work (ii) Connexions (iii) All provision of activities for young people  (1) 
			 201 City of London 408,898 55,000 652,898 
			 202 Camden 5,428,601 195,599 8,607,759 
			 203 Greenwich 2,742,570 3,168,230 8,557,550 
			 204 Hackney 4,861,169 2,889,550 13,142,050 
			 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 2,471,361 1,475,205 4,785,620 
			 206 Islington 813,561 2,424,798 12,066,258 
			 207 Kensington and Chelsea 2,782,090 1,714,100 6,238,850 
			 208 Lambeth 2,980,223 2,540,147 8,091,789 
			 209 Lewisham 3,167,115 2,599,051 8,883,241 
			 210 Southwark 1,761,621 1,338,270 10,398,082 
			 211 Tower Hamlets 12,478,091 2,071,700 16,429,891 
			 212 Wandsworth 3,009,499 2,955,691 7,415,109 
			 213 Westminster 1,529,825 2,080,400 5,860,550 
			 301 Barking and Dagenham 1,670,391 2,625,795 4,840,071 
			 302 Barnet 2,540,959 1,946,972 5,630,721 
			 303 Bexley 2,180,000 1,602,000 4,359,000 
			 304 Brent 2,922,597 2,411,506 6,530,052 
			 305 Bromley 1,466,476 1,830,380 4,145,941 
			 306 Croydon 0 2,878,613 10,641,250 
			 307 Ealing 1,769,171 3,149,718 6,840,523 
			 308 Enfield 2,753,043 2,206,610 6,854,891 
		
	
	
		
			 309 Haringey 2,262,169 2,188,100 4,615,943 
			 310 Harrow 1,190,885 1,959,343 4,356,019 
			 311 Havering 2,212,420 2,119,700 5,060,303 
			 312 Hillingdon 5,518,400 2,765,200 8,975,500 
			 313 Hounslow 2,224,159 2,193,099 5,711,096 
			 314 Kingston upon Thames 770,786 979,783 3,219,666 
			 315 Merton 1,397,301 1,392,140 3,192,531 
			 316 Newham 6,817,600 3,477,400 13,908,378 
			 317 Redbridge 1,601,921 2,207,534 4,968,568 
			 318 Richmond upon Thames 1,882,135 1,118,200 3,784,154 
			 319 Sutton 1,402,800 1,259,600 3,422,200 
			 320 Waltham Forest 3,553,900 2,459,500 7,449,204 
			 330 Birmingham 6,179,988 11,041,218 24,070,039 
			 331 Coventry 4,032,990 3,245,291 8,793,570 
			 332 Dudley 2,984,554 2,927,400 7,329,603 
			 333 Sandwell 3,162,000 3,332,900 8,927,500 
			 334 Solihull 0 2,207,170 4,562,015 
			 335 Walsall 4,654,668 2,467,619 7,745,741 
			 336 Wolverhampton 3,766,810 2,630,800 8,322,820 
			 340 Knowsley 582,782 2,222,094 4,294,098 
			 341 Liverpool 6,851,235 5,412,776 15,936,302 
			 342 St. Helens 2,012,665 2,204,000 5,542,480 
			 343 Sefton 5,659,400 2,804,102 9,472,502 
			 344 Wirral 3,589,400 3,127,400 8,443,400 
			 350 Bolton 1,134,100 3,080,400 7,971,700 
			 351 Bury 1,414,159 1,703,400 3,910,407 
			 352 Manchester 5,170,794 5,941,572 16,171,577 
			 353 Oldham 1,927,400 0 2,944,790 
			 354 Rochdale 2,010,321 2,456,700 5,605,645 
			 355 Salford 2,795,274 2,576,000 7,877,215 
			 356 Stockport 2,010,429 2,869,864 6,927,460 
			 357 Tameside 1,962,090 2,499,110 6,129,250 
			 358 Trafford 1,941,502 1,949,375 4,652,817 
			 359 Wigan 2,115,965 4,116,376 8,958,539 
			 370 Barnsley 2,913,400 2,344,670 5,809,438 
			 371 Doncaster 3,256,276 3,485,264 7,826,198 
			 372 Rotherham 2,601,255 2,528,066 7,004,053 
			 373 Sheffield 5,175,501 5,371,074 16,814,023 
			 380 Bradford 6,676,300 5,168,275 13,587,675 
			 381 Calderdale 3,548,295 2,427,380 6,905,315 
			 382 Kirklees 4,110,144 3,862,253 10,950,291 
			 383 Leeds 8,490,813 8,100,735 23,174,220 
			 384 Wakefield 4,366,221 4,085,730 9,745,673 
			 390 Gateshead 1,391,278 1,397,224 3,441,537 
			 391 Newcastle upon Tyne 3,516,346 3,228,180 8,359,241 
			 392 North Tyneside 1,072,550 1,412,889 3,347,299 
			 393 South Tyneside 2,355,053 2,150,187 5,588,360 
			 394 Sunderland 397,916 8,339,012 13,344,370 
			 420 Isles Of Scilly 46,169 25,000 121,169 
			 800 Bath and North East Somerset 1,231,623 1,385,394 3,348,192 
			 801 Bristol City of 3,841,735 3,188,205 8,717,687 
			 802 North Somerset 62,000 1,392,000 3,085,005 
			 803 South Gloucestershire 1,686,000 1,973,000 4,671,000 
			 805 Hartlepool 1,562,714 1,306,614 3,116,165 
			 806 Middlesbrough 1,947,453 2,133,585 5,127,622 
			 807 Redcar and Cleveland 0 2,795,750 5,101,148 
			 808 Stockton-on-Tees 2,266,691 2,464,392 5,693,716 
			 810 Kingston upon Hull City of 4,206,645 3,400,169 11,401,498 
			 811 East Riding of Yorkshire 2,698,000 2,277,930 6,376,840 
			 812 North East Lincolnshire 1,980,820 2,216,472 5,627,008 
			 813 North Lincolnshire 1,605,190 1,526,930 3,985,870 
			 815 North Yorkshire 5,403,472 4,445,927 10,734,506 
			 816 York 2,140,071 1,396,450 4,084,780 
			 821 Luton 2,124,875 2,153,194 5,186,013 
		
	
	
		
			 822 Bedford Borough 1,035,275 2,379,786 3,514,972 
			 823 Central Bedfordshire 1,365,658 2,414,843 4,162,562 
			 825 Buckinghamshire 5,097,931 3,365,125 8,870,556 
			 826 Milton Keynes 3,170,957 2,227,634 6,275,696 
			 830 Derbyshire 5,899,473 5,906,203 14,206,246 
			 831 Derby 2,588,336 2,262,411 7,120,359 
			 835 Dorset 3,148,900 2,820,600 6,768,700 
			 836 Poole 1,186,613 1,148,789 2,635,129 
			 837 Bournemouth 1,966,500 1,296,000 3,835,200 
			 840 Durham 4,115,587 5,056,150 11,770,968 
			 841 Darlington 1,002,178 1,182,918 2,899,854 
			 845 East Sussex 1,611,418 3,982,243 8,100,056 
			 846 Brighton and Hove 1,252,440 2,011,490 5,161,350 
			 850 Hampshire 6,934,900 6,893,200 16,381,600 
			 851 Portsmouth. 920,600 1,595,800 3,269,025 
			 852 Southampton 3,406,812 0 4,164,919 
			 855 Leicestershire 4,647,807 4,206,400 10,376,086 
			 856 Leicester 3,772,426 3,723,400 9,268,026 
			 857 Rutland 457,800 393,100 1,013,300 
			 860 Staffordshire 6,265,350 6,737,109 15,116,319 
			 861 Stoke-on-Trent 703,057 2,744,445 7,168,273 
			 865 Wiltshire 3,396,694 3,312,783 8,345,741 
			 866 Swindon 1,539,726 1,936,180 4,698,623 
			 867 Bracknell Forest 1,221,070 1,066,066 2,747,019 
			 868 Windsor and Maidenhead 1,252,440 1,218,850 3,102,050 
			 869 West Berkshire 1,925,256 1,437,977 3,898,080 
			 870 Reading 1,344,240 1,319,440 3,984,274 
			 871 Slough 1,983,472 1,802,337 4,598,157 
			 872 Wokingham 1,210,713 1,174,200 2,704,138 
			 873 Cambridgeshire 3,735,813 5,011,943 9,423,407 
			 874 Peterborough 1,145,774 1,626,379 3,581,008 
			 876 Halton 1,168,250 1,618,540 3,544,304 
			 877 Warrington 1,910,676 1,754,195 4,119,028 
			 878 Devon 6,403,185 5,916,963 12,754,652 
			 879 Plymouth 3,324,855 2,318,446 7,113,359 
			 880 Torbay 1,326,400 983,900 3,016,780 
			 881 Essex 17,143,297 0 20,340,878 
			 882 Southend-on-Sea 731,500 2,302,000 3,489,100 
			 883 Thurrock 1,300,274 1,657,326 3,108,200 
			 884 Herefordshire 1,135,083 1,394,246 2,832,459 
			 885 Worcestershire 10,795 3,848,515 10,137,931 
			 886 Kent 11,460,589 13,141,891 28,259,357 
			 887 Medway 1,976,547 2,430,553 8,378,827 
			 888 Lancashire 11,293,962 10,111,427 26,990,353 
			 889 Blackburn with Darwen 1,107,200 1,633,700 4,323,400 
			 890 Blackpool 1,251,001 1,844,391 4,261,268 
			 891 Nottinghamshire 8,663,937 6,574,440 17,479,746 
			 892 Nottingham 1,312,764 0 6,124,743 
			 893 Shropshire 2,272,142 2,223,670 5,677,032 
			 894 Telford and Wrekin 1,747,233 1,398,216 3,676,871 
			 895 Cheshire East 813,105 2,504,255 4,288,130 
			 896 Cheshire West and Cheshire 1,208,531 2,739,897 5,005,058 
			 908 Cornwall 4,384,377 3,085,000 8,766,289 
			 909 Cumbria 4,008,000 4,094,000 9,160,000 
			 916 Gloucestershire 5,477,700 4,101,300 10,105,471 
			 919 Hertfordshire 5,436,712 7,093,372 14,541,037 
			 921 Isle of Wight 1,231,241 1,057,465 2,874,610 
			 925 Lincolnshire 4,216,352 5,198,881 11,257,912 
			 926 Norfolk 5,111,942 6,391,740 13,321,323 
			 928 Northamptonshire 2,256,702 5,149,542 8,779,420 
			 929 Northumberland 2,289,500 3,229,750 7,110,500 
			 931 Oxfordshire 1,140,986 4,679,857 10,209,748 
			 933 Somerset 3,523,970 4,996,582 10,307,882 
			 935 Suffolk 4,431,603 5,825,532 11,418,962 
		
	
	
		
			 936 Surrey 2,688,148 6,913,632 21,124,795 
			 937 Warwickshire 4,878,505 4,005,766 10,954,965 
			 938 West Sussex 4,006,274 5,381,600 10,187,379 
			  England Total 451,153,621 446,930,841 1,180,704,500 
			 (1 )Figures for all provision of activities for young people include: youth work; positive activities; information, advice and guidance; substance misuse and teenage pregnancy reduction; and discretionary awards and student support.

Departmental Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what level of security vetting is required for (a) special advisers and (b) ministerial-appointed policy advisers in his Department; and if he will list each person who has held these posts since May 2010.

Gregory Barker: The information regarding security vetting is publicly available in the booklet HMG Security controls, available from the Cabinet Office website at:
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/hmg-personnel-security-controls
	This booklet describes the circumstances in which a post may require the holder to be the subject of national security vetting checks.
	It would not be appropriate to confirm which specific posts within a Department are the subject of vetting, as this could highlight who within a Department has access to sensitive material and be used for targeting purposes.
	The list of special advisers which is available in the Library of the House and can also be accessed on the Cabinet Office website at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special-adviser-data-releases

Departmental Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what company or Government service is used to undertake security vetting at (a) counter terrorist check, (b) security check and (c) developed vetting level in his Department.

Gregory Barker: DECC complies with Cabinet Office requirements and utilises a government approved vetting service. All DECC vetting is undertaken via a contract with FCO services.

Energy

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has had any discussions on possible tariff discounts for high usage energy customers who have installed effective energy efficiency measures but are unable to reduce their usage for health or welfare reasons.

Gregory Barker: The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), and I have regular discussions with the energy companies about assistance for their vulnerable consumers. Under the new Warm Home Discount scheme suppliers are required to provide financial assistance to their low income, vulnerable consumers. Government expects that around two million households will receive direct help each year of the scheme.
	For those with potential to further improve the energy efficiency of their homes, support may be available through existing schemes such as the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT). CERT will continue to operate until the end of 2012, at which point it will be replaced by the Government's new Green Deal programme. We will consult shortly on the design of Green Deal, including how it can best support those most in need of help to pay their energy bills.

Energy Supply

Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to remove barriers that limit investment in energy intensive companies.

Gregory Barker: The Department is working with the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and HM Treasury to develop a package of measures to assist those energy intensive businesses whose international competitiveness is most affected by our energy and climate change policies, in order to reduce the impact of Government policy on the cost of electricity for these businesses.
	In developing the package we aim to ensure continuing investment and for the UK to remain competitive in international markets.
	Later this year, Government will present further details of how the industrial sector can play its role in meeting the UK's carbon budgets and contribute to delivering the 2050 carbon reduction target.

Feed-in Tariffs

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has any plans to reduce the future rate for feed-in tariffs; what timetable he has set for any such reduction; and what the feed-in tariff rate will be in each of the next three years.

Gregory Barker: On 7 February 2011, Official Report, columns 2-3WS, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), announced the start of the first comprehensive review of the Great Britain Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme.
	A consultation on the first phase of the comprehensive review was launched on 31 October 2011 and proposes new tariffs for all solar PV installations with a total installed capacity of 250Kw or less. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the tariffs in the following table will be introduced from 1 April 2012 for new installations which become eligible for FITs on or after 12 December 2011. No proposals have yet been made for changes to tariff rates beyond April 2012 but this will be kept under review.
	
		
			 Band (kW) Current generation tariff (p/kWh) Proposed generation tariff (p/kWh) 
			 <4kW (new build) 37.8 21.0 
			 <4kW (retrofit) 43.3 21.0 
			 >4-10kW 37.8 16.8 
			 >10-50kW 32.9 15.2 
			 >50-100kW 19 12.9 
			 >100-150kW 19 12.9 
			 >150-250kW 15 12.9 
			 >250kW-5MW 8.5 (1)8.5 
			 stand alone 8.5 (1)8.5 
			 (1) Note that these are the current tariffs which, like all other current tariffs, will be adjusted in line with the retail price index from 1 April 2012. 
		
	
	We have proposed introducing new multi-installation tariff rates, in the following table, for aggregated solar PV schemes, applying to new installations with an eligibility date after 1 April 2012.
	
		
			 Solar PV tariff band Multi-installation generation tariff (p/kWh) 
			 <4kW (new build) 16.8 
			 <4kW (retrofit) 16.8 
			 >4-10kW 13.4 
			 >10-50kW 12.2 
			 >50-100kW 10.3 
			 >100-150kW 10.3 
			 >150-250kW 10.3 
			 >250kW-5MW (1)8.5 
		
	
	
		
			 stand alone (1)8.5 
			 (1) Note that these are the current tariffs which, like all other current tariffs, will be adjusted in line with the retail price index from 1 April 2012. 
		
	
	We also propose prioritising energy efficiency by linking solar PV tariffs to specified minimum energy efficiency requirements from 1 April 2012, for new installations which are attached or wired to a building. A generator unable to demonstrate that the building meets these requirements will, after a transitional period, be eligible for a lower tariff of 9p/kWh instead of the standard tariff.
	We are intending to consult on the second phase of the review of the scheme towards the end of the year. This will consider new tariffs for non-PV technologies from April 2012.

Proven Energy: Finance

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what support his Department has provided to Proven Energy.

Gregory Barker: DECC officials contacted Proven's senior management team when it emerged that they had technical problems with their P35-2 wind turbine. Further conversations were held with Proven and the Joint Receivers prior to the sale of Proven's business and assets to Kingspan Renewbles Ltd. Officials are continuing to work closely with the industry to consider the wider issues raised by the unfortunate termination of the business.

UK Safeguards Support Programme

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much (a) his Department and (b) its predecessors contributed to the UK Safeguards Support Programme in each year since 2001.

Charles Hendry: The Department and its predecessors, the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) has contributed the following amounts to the UK Safeguards Support Programme since 2001-02:
	
		
			  £000 
			 2001-02 746 
			 2002-03 752 
			 2003-04 1,046 
			 2004-05 2,354 
			 2005-06 1,178 
			 2006-07 806 
			 2007-08 761 
			 2008-09 998 
			 2009-10 l,149 
			 2010-11 l,077

Regional Growth Fund

Julie Elliott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on funding for the Regional Growth Fund.

Danny Alexander: The Government remain committed to their aim of delivering strong, sustainable and balanced economic growth and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), and I frequently discuss such matters, including the Regional Growth Fund, with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable).

VAT

Ian Murray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects on consumer confidence of the recent increase in the rate of VAT.

David Gauke: Sustainable public finances are essential for consumer confidence.
	Decisive action taken by the Government in the comprehensive spending review and June Budget including the increase in VAT, put the public finances and Government spending on a sustainable footing. This has prevented the turmoil seen in other countries' sovereign debt markets spreading to the UK and undermining confidence and the recovery in the private sector.

Banking: Leverage Ratios

Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with the Bank of England regarding the leverage ratios of British banks.

Mark Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials regularly meet counterparts from the Bank of England to discuss a range of issues. It is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings and discussions.
	As part of Basel III, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision agreed to introduce a non-risked based leverage ratio to constrain the build-up of leverage in the. banking sector and support the risk based capital requirements. In the EU, Basel III will be implemented through legislation on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms, which the Commission adopted proposals for on 20 July 2011.

Child Trust Funds: Children in Care

Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made in ensuring that looked-after children continue to receive a child trust fund.

Tim Loughton: I have been asked to reply.
	Following the discontinuation of child trust funds, we have made good progress on work to ensure continued Government support for the long-term savings for looked after children. I will be making more details available shortly.

Child Trust Funds: Children in Care

Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the devolved Administrations regarding child trust funds for looked-after children.

Tim Loughton: I have been asked to reply.
	Officials at the Department for Education working on long-term savings for looked after children have been in close discussion with their counterparts at the devolved Administrations. I expect to write to my counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland shortly with an outline of a proposed UK scheme and inviting their support.

Council Tax: Valuation

Jason McCartney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many claims to reduce council tax bandings were (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many proposals for council tax rebanding have been made in the last 12 months.

David Gauke: Official Statistics are published by the Valuation Office Agency on the number of challenges to the CT Valuation Lists and the outcomes of those challenges. The figures for England over the last three years are summarised in the following table.
	
		
			 England 
			   Of which: 
			 Financial year Total challenges settled CT band reduced CT band Unchanged CT band increased Other  (1) 
			 2008-09 116,430 31,560 80,590 150 4,140 
			 2009-10 82,310 21,720 58,170 80 2,340 
			 2010-11 81,320 19,740 58,860 40 2,670 
			 (1) Other includes challenges which result in deleted entries (e.g. demolitions), new entries (e.g. new build) and split or merged entries (e.g. conversions) on the list. 
		
	
	Equivalent figures for the latest two quarters in 2011-12 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 England 
			   Of which: 
			 Financial year 2011-12 Total challenges settled CJ band reduced CT band unchanged CT band increased Other  (1) 
			 April-June 21,120 5,440 14,880 20 780 
			 July-September 17,980 4,350 12,840 10 780 
			 (1) Other includes challenges which result in deleted entries (e.g. demolitions), new entries (e.g. new build) and split or merged entries (e.g. conversions) on the list. 
		
	
	Published statistics also show that of the 39,000 challenges settled in the first two quarters of 2011-12, 26,600 (68%) were informal band reviews only, 10,800 (28%) were valid proposals and 1,600 (4%) were appealed to the Valuation Tribunal.

Loans: Republic of Ireland

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 17 October 2011, Official Report, column 51WS, on financial assistance (Ireland), what annual rate of interest is payable; and on what dates interest due will be paid.

Mark Hoban: The rate of interest applicable to each tranche of the bilateral loan to Ireland and the interest payment dates are set out in the Loan Agreement that I deposited in the Library of the House on 10 January 2011.
	The rate of interest on each tranche of the loan is equal to the 7.5 year sterling swap rate at the time of disbursement plus a fixed margin of 229 basis points.
	Following the 21 July 2011 agreement by euro area member states to reduce the interest rates applied to loans from the euro area-only European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), notified his Irish counterpart that the UK was able to cut the interest rate applied to the bilateral loan. The new rate is yet to be agreed, but the Government will update Parliament in due course.
	Following the disbursement of the first tranche of the loan on 14 October the first interest payment is due on 15 December 2011.
	Thereafter interest on each disbursed tranche of the loan is payable every six months until the maturity date of each tranche.

National Insurance Contributions: New Businesses

Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the steps taken to increase the take-up of the national insurance holiday scheme; how much his Department has spent on steps to increase the take-up of the scheme; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: To further increase take up, HMRC has issued around 140,000 personalised letters to all businesses that have registered for a PAYE scheme since the start of the national insurance (NICs) holiday on 22 June 2010. The letters were issued between 4 and 6 October 2011 and HMRC's regional press teams have generated local publicity in eligible regions. The cost of issuing the personalised letter is £90,000.
	In addition, agents are now able to apply for the NICs holiday on behalf of their clients.

Revenue and Customs: Government Procurement Card

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 17 October 2011, Official Report, column 702W, on Revenue and Customs: Government Procurement Card, what the (a) name of the supplier and (b) purpose and function was of the entry 2 July Catering and Catering Supplies 639.60 in 2007.

David Gauke: The duties of HMRC staff cover a wide range of posts and some roles require overseas or domestic travel requiring accommodation in support of key departmental objectives—for example, fiscal crime liaison, EU policy development, enforcement of prohibition and restrictions and mutual administrative assistance.
	The transaction relating to 2 July 2007 was categorised by the merchant category code as 'Catering & Catering supplies', however checks reveal this was for overnight B&B accommodation (UK). The name of supplier is redacted because this relates to an operationally sensitive investigation, and also to protect the safety of our officers and supplier.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

Jo Swinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the (a) average time to answer a call, (b) average length of a call, (c) average time spent on hold during a call and (d) proportion of calls dropped was in call centres run by HM Revenue and Customs in the last period for which figures are available.

David Gauke: holding answer 17 October 2011
	The information requested for the period 1-30 September 2011 is as follows:
	
		
			  September 2011 
			 (a) Average time to answer a call 3 minutes 48 seconds 
			 (b) Average length of a call 7 minutes 50 seconds 
			 (c) Average time spent on hold during a call 18 seconds 
			 (d) Proportion of calls dropped 7.5% 
		
	
	Service levels have significantly improved when compared to last year. In 2010-11, HMRC handled 58.4 million calls which is 48% of calls attempted. So far in 2011-12 (April to September), HMRC has handled over 31.3 million calls which is 71.9% of call attempts.

Tax Avoidance: International Cooperation

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to improve the transparency of multinational corporations' accounts for the purposes of ensuring that developing countries are aware of any international tax avoidance; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: The Government are engaging with the European Commission and other member states in order to emphasise our support for requirements being placed on EU extractives companies to disclose payments made to governments, matching the standards being set in the US.

Taxation

Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of mechanisms by which UK citizens holding assets in Swiss bank accounts may avoid paying the taxes to be levied under the new rules agreed in October 2011 (a) prior to and (b) following their commencement in May 2013.

David Gauke: Switzerland on co-operation in tax matters will have a strong positive effect for the UK exchequer.
	Any person failing to pay the tax will fail to benefit from the provisions of the agreement. No tax clearance will be given, and the person will still be liable to tax, interest, and significant penalties. They may also be subject to criminal investigation.

Taxation

Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with their counterparts in the Swiss government regarding the appropriate commencement date of the agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on co-operation in the area of taxation; and whether consideration was given in those discussions to the effects on revenues of commencement in May 2013.

David Gauke: The Government's aim is for the agreement between the UK and Switzerland on co-operation in tax matters to come into force on 1 January 2013. This allows for the time needed to complete parliamentary procedures in both countries.

Departmental Voluntary Work

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what volunteering (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have undertaken as part of the one day challenge; what the nature of the work undertaken was; on what dates it took place; and what the names were of the organisations assisted.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has long recognised the value of volunteering and the vital contribution made by volunteers to development, and to local communities and charities.
	At present none of our Ministers have been directly involved with activities in association with the one day challenge.

Developing Countries: Disability

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what work his Department is undertaking with local disabled people's organisations in partner countries to reduce discrimination against children with disabilities in education.

Stephen O'Brien: DFID supports over 85 disabled people's organisations and civil society organisations to address the issues facing people with disabilities in poor countries. We are providing £1,350,000 to the Disability Rights Fund in support of its work during the period April 2010 to March 2013. This supports the participation of disabled people's organisations in the ratification, implementation and monitoring of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at country levels.
	For example in Malawi, DFID has supported approximately 700,000 children with disabilities to enter education. Through DFID support 4,200 classrooms have been constructed and 70% of these have ramp access.

Developing Countries: Disability

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to reduce exclusion of children with disabilities from education in developing countries.

Stephen O'Brien: The coalition Government are committed to ensuring the inclusion of disabled people in development. Following a full review of all of the UK's aid spending, we recently published our priorities for the next four years in the document 'UK Aid: Changing Lives, Delivering Results' which can be found on the DFID website:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Documents/publications1/mar/BAR-MAR-summary-document-web.pdf
	The document shows how programmes to ensure that everyone has access to education, including children with disabilities, will be given priority for UK development assistance.
	For example, in Bangladesh, DFID is continuing to support the BRAC Primary Education Development Programme, with the third phase due to commence in July 2011. The main focus of this is to ensure access to education for vulnerable children including children with disability.

Developing Countries: Literacy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps his Department has taken to increase adult literacy in developing countries.

Stephen O'Brien: DFID has a two strand approach to tackling adult literacy in the countries where we work: Firstly, where appropriate, the UK invests in programmes that combine adult literacy with vocational training, or that include a focus on the empowerment of marginalised groups and secondly, we prioritise quality basic education for all so that fewer children become illiterate adults.
	An example of DFID's work in this area is our support to the Mahila Samakhya (Women Together) in India, a government programme to promote gender equality and women's empowerment, including improving literacy and economic opportunities through better access to education.

East Africa: Droughts

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent estimate he has made of the number of people in the Horn of Africa affected by famine; what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the level of aid contributed; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Mitchell: The current crisis in the Horn of Africa has affected approximately 18 million people. In Somalia, where famine has been officially declared, some 750,000 people face starvation before the end of the year unless they receive adequate humanitarian support.
	Over the summer I have spoken with a number of my international counterparts about the crisis in the Horn. Specifically I have held discussions with the United Nation's Emergency Relief Coordinator, Baroness Amos, with Josette Sheeran of the World Food Programme. In addition I have also spoken with Rav Shah from the United States Agency for International Development; Ben Knapen, the Netherlands' Development Minster; Dirk Niebel, Germany's Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development; Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden; Henri de Raincourt, France's Development Minister; and Franco Frattini, Italy's Foreign Minister.
	At the Tidewater conference in July I also addressed development ministers and officials including Denmark's State Secretary for development policy, Ib Petersen; European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs; Deputy Director General and Minister of Foreign Affairs for France, George Serre; Minister of the Environment and International Development of Norway, Erik Solheim; Japanese President, Sadako Ogata; President of Institute for Liberty and Democracy, Hernando de Soto; Deputy Administrator of USAID, Donald Steinberg; Secretary General of UNCTAD, Panitchpakdi Supachai; Chair of Development Assistance Committee France, Brian Atwood; Director-General of Ausaid Australia, Peter Baxter; President of CIDA Canada, Margaret Briggs; Director General of International Cooperation the Netherlands, Yoka Brandt; Vice Minister for Development Policy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Korea, Tae-Yul Cho; Director General Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Switzerland, Martin Dahinden; Associate Administrator UNDP, Rebecca Grynspan; Secretary General OECD, Angel Gurria; State Secretary for International Development Cooperation Sweden, Anna Helquist; Political Director Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway, Hege Hertzberg; Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Eco-Cooperation Development Germany, Gudrun Kopp; Executive Director UNICEF, Anthony Lake; Managing Director of Public Policy, Bill Gates Foundation, Geoff Lamb; and Managing Director of World Bank, Mahmoud Mohieldin; Kenyan Prime Minister, Razla Odinga, and Foreign Minister George Saitotz; Somali Government; senior officials from the United Nations (UN) including Baroness Amos of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; Josette Sheeran of the World Food Programme; Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees; and Tony Lake of the UN Children's Fund.
	The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and the Under-Secretary of State for International Development, my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr O'Brien), have also discussed the crisis affecting the Horn of Africa with a number of their counterparts.
	The UK has been at the forefront of the world's response to the crisis in the Horn. While UK lobbying has helped to attract significant financial support to humanitarian appeals there remains a shortfall of US$609 million.

Malawi: Environment Protection

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to promote environmental awareness in Malawi at the (a) provincial and (b)sub-district level; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen O'Brien: DFID is currently funding an Enhanced Community Resilience Programme jointly with Irish Aid and Norway in Malawi. Among other things, the programme will support information sharing on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation amongst civil society.
	The programme is being delivered by NGOs at the district level and is expected to result in 300,000 people with increased awareness of climate change and the actions they can take to mitigate its impact between 2011 and 2016
	DFID has also been funding the British Council in Malawi since 2009 to promote debate and public awareness of climate change in Malawi. In September 2009, over 100 citizens from Malawi participated in a global public debate on climate change. The debates are estimated to have reached three million people across the country though radio, resulting in increased public engagement and awareness.

Nigeria: Elections

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent work his Department has undertaken to strengthen the electoral system in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Duncan: Strengthening democracy in Nigeria is a priority for the Department for International Development (DFID). The Department supported the 2011 elections which were seen as the most credible in Nigeria's history. Specifically, we helped strengthen the Election Commission and helped with a new voter register of 73 million people. We also supported an innovative and successful mobile phone monitoring system. The Election Commission Chair thanked us for:
	“unprecedented co-operation we received from the DFID team in Nigeria.”
	We will continue to support the aspirations of ordinary Nigerians for a better functioning democracy. We will support further strengthening of the Electoral Commission to better manage elections. We will also help increase women's participation in politics and do all we can to help reduce election violence in the future.

Balkans: Politics and Government

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to promote regional co-operation in the Balkans.

David Lidington: The Government are actively committed to promoting regional co-operation in the Balkans. Regional co-operation is crucial to the stability and prosperity of the region. It is an essential requirement for progress towards EU accession under the EU's Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP). We remain firmly supportive of the SAP, as well as other initiatives aimed at promoting co-operation. An important example of the latter is the EU-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, aimed at normalising co-operation between the two countries. We have also welcomed initiatives such as the 2010 Istanbul Declaration, establishing a mechanism for regular political dialogue between Serbia, Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Brdo process, established by Croatia and Slovenia as a forum for regional dialogue. We are also using UK conflict prevention funding to support regional projects.

Egypt: Religious Freedom

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage the Egyptian Government to offer protection for religious minorities in Egypt.

Jeremy Browne: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), called the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 12 October to discuss the situation in Egypt, including his concerns about the unrest in Cairo on 9 October and action that the Egyptian Government were taking to address the violence. He also issued a statement about the 9 October incident, in which he said that the freedom of religious belief needs to be protected and that the ability to worship in peace is a vital component of a democratic society.
	During his visit to Egypt on 20 October, the Deputy Prime Minister discussed sectarian tension with the Egyptian Government, including measures being taken to address its causes. We will continue to press the Egyptian authorities to promote religious tolerance, revisit policies which discriminate against anyone on the basis of their religion, and enshrine respect for human rights in the Constitution, including guarantees for minority rights.

European Union

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his statement of 24 October 2011, Official Report, column 54, on European Council, if he will specify those areas where he believes that European integration has gone too far.

David Lidington: The Government have commenced work on an examination of the balance of the EU's existing competences in line with the commitment set out in the coalition agreement. An area of particular concern for the Government is the extent and impact of EU social and employment legislation on business.
	We committed in our coalition agreement to limit the application of the working time directive in the UK. The current economic climate means that now, more than ever, we must provide employers and employees alike with maximum flexibility. Negotiations are expected to start later this year between trade unions and business representatives. Ministers have made it clear that the individual opt-out available under this instrument must remain workable and without burdensome constraints.
	As regards the proposed pregnant workers directive the Government are clear that none of us need this directive—minimum standards in the 1992 directive are sufficient. We should not be imposing extra costs on our businesses at this time of economic challenge.
	In respect of the ongoing negotiations on the proposed posted workers directive, the Government's view is that we want to achieve an outcome consistent with single market objectives while ensuring that neither our national competence on industrial action rights nor our light touch labour market regulatory compliance regime is undermined.

Iran: Sentencing

Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the government of Iran regarding the sentencing of Marzieh Vafamehr for her role in the film My Tehran for Sale; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 31 October 2011, Official Report, column 375-376W.

Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Royal Society's proposal that his Department establish a non-proliferation and nuclear security network.

Alistair Burt: The Government are committed to tackling the challenges of nuclear proliferation and the risk of terrorists acquiring nuclear material. We recognise the importance of fostering collaboration between Government Departments, academia and industry in order to meet these challenges, and significant work already takes place in this regard that we would not wish to duplicate. For example, the Government's key needs for technical advice and related support on nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear security issues are met through the cross-government arrangements that were announced in the strategic defence and security review (SDSR). Co-ordination and oversight are provided through the Cabinet Office chaired counter proliferation committee, which reports to the National Security Council. My Department also engages with industry, science and academic forums on nuclear security best practice and professional development, notably as part of the Nuclear Security Summit process, and regularly briefs non-governmental organisations, industry, university students and international partners on this Government's non-proliferation and nuclear security priorities. In addition, the newly-formed cross-Whitehall International Civil Nuclear Group provides a focal point for relevant organisations, industry and UK posts overseas to foster collaboration and international partnerships.

Serbia

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the readiness of Serbia to join the EU.

David Lidington: As I noted on 12 October, when the European Commission published its most recent report on the EU's Enlargement Strategy together with its Opinion on Serbia's Application for EU membership, the Government remain clear that the future of all countries of the Western Balkans is in the EU once the full range of criteria have been met. We continue firmly to support Serbia's EU aspirations.
	I welcome the progress that Serbia has made to date, including in relation to co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The Commission's Opinion on Serbia sets out this progress, alongside recommendations for further work on regional cooperation as well as the full range of reforms. The Commission's recommendations at this stage include swift re-engagement in the EU-facilitated dialogue with Kosovo and implementation of agreements reached to date, and a requirement for further steps to normalise its relations with Kosovo. The Government encourage Serbia to address these recommendations and maintain efforts towards meeting the EU's membership criteria in full.

Sri Lanka

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State most recently visited Sir Lanka; which Ministers and officials in the government of Sri Lanka he met; whether the export of military, security or police equipment was discussed; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: I visited Sri Lanka between 21 and 23 February. I met the Economic Development Minister, Basil Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Foreign Minister, GL Peiris. I also met with members of the Tamil National Alliance and the United National Party. The export of military, security and police equipment was not discussed.

Sri Lanka: Human Rights

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received reports of human rights abuses committed against those of Tamil origin in Sri Lanka since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: We continue to have concerns about human rights in Sri Lanka. These are detailed in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights and Democracy Report 2010 where Sri Lanka is listed as a country of concern. Our high commission in Colombo continues to monitor the situation.
	We consistently raise our concerns with the Sri Lankan Government, most recently when I spoke to the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister on 20 October. We also regularly urge the Sri Lankan Government to improve the human rights situation for vulnerable groups, to investigate incidents and to prosecute those responsible.

USA: Cluster Munitions

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what authorisation is required for US trans-shipment of cluster munitions through (a) Diego Garcia and (b) other UK territories; and whether any such trans-shipment has occurred since 2009.

Jeremy Browne: Section 8 of Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Act permits the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to grant authorisation for visiting forces of states not party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions to possess cluster munitions on or transfer them through UK territory. The only request for authorisation to temporarily transfer and stockpile, according to Article 8 of the Act, was received from the United States State Department. The then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for South Shields (David Miliband), granted authorisation in order to permit the United States to transfer cluster munitions out of UK territory, in accordance with our agreement that they would remove all stockpiles from the UK by 2010 and from all UK territory by 2013. This has been completed ahead of schedule—there are no US stockpiles on any UK territory.

BAE Systems

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to assist skilled former employees of BAE Systems into employment following the recent redundancies announced by that company.

Mark Prisk: The Government are working with BAE Systems to support the individuals affected by the job losses, offering them training and job search support through the Skills Funding Agency, Jobcentre Plus' Rapid Response Service and Next Step careers advice. We are also working with the Lancashire and Humber Local Enterprise Partnerships on two potential new enterprise zones to support the local economies.
	In 2010 we formed the Skills and Jobs Retention Group, led by industry, to help skilled workers find new jobs in manufacturing. The group operates a new national web based exchange, the Talent Retention Solution (TRS), across UK advanced manufacturing, engineering and construction sectors to help match skilled employees with vacancies in other industrial companies. Leading companies, trade associations, trade unions and Sector Skills Councils are all supporting the implementation of TRS. We expect several thousand vacancies to be on the system within the next two to three weeks.
	The National Apprenticeship Service and the Skills Funding Agency are also working together with employers to try and find alternative placements for those apprentices at risk of redundancy.

Business: Community Development

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assistance his Department provides to businesses wishing to support local social initiatives.

Edward Davey: Business responsibility is vital for sustainable growth. Under ‘Every Business Commits’, we are supporting businesses in engaging with their communities by identifying priorities, promoting good practice and working to increase access to advice for businesses and communities.
	We are also committed to delivering business and community benefits by promoting social enterprise. At local level, we have encouraged the action local enterprise partnerships (LEP) are taking to recognise the social enterprise sector: for example by including social enterprise representatives on LEP boards, and providing Regional Development Fund support for community development finance institutions.

Business: Finance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on his proposed credit easing scheme.

Mark Prisk: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), regularly meets with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), to discuss a variety of issues.
	The Chancellor of the Exchequer will be announcing further details on his proposals in the Autumn Statement.

Consumers

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to increase protection of consumer interests; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: This Department has secured a reasonable outcome to European negotiations on the Consumer Rights Directive, whereby key existing UK consumer rights were protected and rights were even increased in some areas, notably to prevent over-charging for use of means of payment such as credit and debit cards. We will soon be consulting on how we implement this measure into UK law.
	We have also decided to bring forward domestic legislation later in the Parliament to bring about a major simplification of consumer law and make rights easier to exercise, for example making it easier for vulnerable consumers, tricked into signing contracts under duress, to get their money back.
	The Government are carrying out a review of consumer credit and personal insolvency, looking at what works and what areas could be improved. We want well-informed, empowered consumers who can make good decisions such as finding the best credit card or loan deal and when to borrow and who to borrow from. In July we published our full response on personal insolvency issues and our interim response on consumer credit. We will publish our final response before the end of the year.
	We have also just completed a consultation on the simplifying of the consumer landscape so that individuals are clearer about who to turn to for advice on consumer issues and to ensure that they are properly protected through consumer redress. We are currently analysing the responses and will make decisions about the future consumer landscape in due course.

Copyright: Art Works

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he proposes that the Artist's Resale Right will be extended to the estates of deceased artists from 1 January 2012; and what assessment he has made of the monetary value to such estates of such an extension.

Edward Davey: The Artist's Resale Right (ARR) Directive was agreed in 2001, and implemented into UK law in 2006. Under the terms of the directive, the UK was able to delay the full implementation of the right (payments on the sales of works by deceased artists) until 2012. Without reopening the directive, there is no option to delay full implementation beyond that date.
	An evaluation of the effect of extending the ARR to estates of deceased artists can be found on the independent study commissioned by the Government “Study into the effect of the UK art market of the introduction of the artist's resale right 2008”, which forecasts resale right payments to increase fourfold when payments to deceased artists commence in 2012. This is expected to reach some £12 million a year in a market with an annual turnover of around £8 billion.

Copyright: Art Works

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with his (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) EU counterparts on the extension of the artist's resale right to the estates of deceased artists from 1 January 2012;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with his (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) EU counterparts on the extension of the artist's resale right to the estates of deceased artists from 1 January 2012.

Edward Davey: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), has met from time to time with ministerial colleagues, principally with the Minister for Intellectual Property, Baroness Wilcox, to discuss the UK's approach to the issue. The Secretary of State has not personally discussed the matter with his EU counterparts.

EU External Trade: India

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2011, Official Report, column 621W, on EU external trade: India, if he will publish a sectoral analysis of the estimated net £2 billion benefit to the UK economy over the next 10 years of a free trade agreement between the EU and India; and what estimate he has made of the effect on employment in each sector of the agreement.

Edward Davey: The estimated £2 billion benefits to the UK over 10 years from an ambitious EU-India free trade agreement (FTA) are derived from the EU's trade sustainability impact assessment (SIA). The SIA
	http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2009/june/tradoc_143372.pdf
	suggests that the overall impact on employment from an EU-India FTA will be low. Sectors that are likely to benefit include transport equipment, metals, processed foods and beverages/tobacco, while vulnerable sectors include clothing, leather goods and aspects of electronic equipment.

Export Credits Guarantee Department

Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which Ministers have attended the management board meetings of the Export Credits Guarantee Department since April 2010.

Edward Davey: No Minister has attended a meeting of Export Credit Guarantee Departments (ECGD's) Management Board since April 2010. Since 2004, ECGD's Management Board has consisted of senior ECGD officials, a non-executive chair and non-executive directors drawn from the private sector. It is accountable to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable).

Higher Education

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the drop-out rates at (a) public funded universities and (b) for-profit organisations providing higher education in (i) the US and (ii) the UK.

Edward Davey: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) performance indicators provide information on student retention for publicly funded higher education institutions in the UK:
	http://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php?option= com_content&task=view&id=2064&ltemid=141
	The latest available information is for the 2008/09 academic year. Figures for the 2009/10 academic year will become available from HESA in April 2012.
	HESA do not collect equivalent information on for-profit institutions or non-UK institutions.
	The Higher Education White Paper ;Students at the Heart of the System’ set out the expectation that, under the future regulatory system, all providers who are designated for student support will be required to publish a range of information about their courses and student outcomes.
	The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) statistics show that, compared internationally, the UK has relatively high completion rates for higher education. For example, ‘Education at a Glance 2010’ shows a completion rate for ‘type A’ (more academic) first degrees of 81% in the UK—compared with an OECD average of 70% and a US figure of 57%. See Indicator 4 (Table A 4.1) at:
	http://www.oecd.org/document/52/0,3746,en_2649_39263238_45897844_1_1_1_1,00.html
	However, because of differences in definitions and recording, it is difficult to make direct comparisons between countries. OECD statistics do not differentiate between publicly funded and for-profit providers.

Korea: EU Countries

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the potential economic benefits to the UK of the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Edward Davey: The Department completed an impact assessment into the potential benefits of the EU-Korea free trade agreement which showed that the UK will gain an estimated £500 million a year in gross domestic product (GDP) from the EU-Korea free trade agreement.
	The impact assessment was submitted to the Parliament in June 2010.

Labour Market

Gordon Birtwistle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what comparative assessment he has made of the flexibility of the UK labour market and that of (a) other EU member states and (b) the US; and what assessment he has made of the potential effect of differences between such markets on (i) domestic investment and (ii) job creation.

Edward Davey: The Department has examined as far as possible all of the comparable international evidence on labour market flexibility. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Jobs Study Review of 2006 summarises most of this evidence in ‘Boosting Jobs and Income—Policy Lessons from Reassessing the OECD Jobs Strategy’ and I draw attention to some of the following conclusions in it, as follows:
	“The experience over the past two decades shows that there is no single combination of policies and institutions to achieve and maintain good labour market performance. For example, it is not necessary that all individual policies are aimed at strong labour market performance, provided that adverse stances in some policy areas are more than compensated for by favourable settings in other areas, e.g. by exploiting policy interactions. This allows some scope to tailor policy packages to suit national preferences with respect to equity, risk-taking and other objectives. However, in practice there are few feasible policy combinations to achieve satisfactory employment outcomes”.
	The study also identified the UK as a ‘successful employment performer’ and suggested that it fell into a group of countries that are ‘market reliant’ which include light employment protection in its policy package. Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United States are the other countries identified in this group by the OECD.
	The OECD also identified another group of countries as ‘successful performers’ with different but successful policy packages. These include Austria, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
	The Government, through its employment law and growth reviews aim to build upon this and foster greater employment and growth.

Supermarkets: Competition

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many times representatives of his Department have met representatives of (a) Tesco, (b) Sainsbury's, (c) Asda, (d) Morrisons and (e) trade associations of which these companies are members to discuss the proposed Groceries Code Adjudicator since his appointment.

Edward Davey: Since my appointment, I and the Department’s officials have met on numerous occasions with those large retailers and the relevant trade associations, as well as with a broad range of other stakeholders, to discuss the Groceries Code Adjudicator.

Unemployment: Mining

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of long-term trends in unemployment in former mining and steel communities.

Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply.
	My Department has carried out research on unemployment in former coalfield areas. In general, unemployment rates are higher in local authorities containing large coalfield areas compared to Great Britain overall but the long-term trends are broadly similar. The Department has not conducted equivalent research into former steel communities.

Air Travel Organisers' Licensing Reform

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when her Department will publish its response to its recent consultation on test fees.

Michael Penning: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) expects to publish its response to the recent consultation fees towards the end of the year.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the letter from the Under-Secretary of State for Roads and Motoring of 9 September 2011, reference MC/13916, what estimate has been made of the likely change in the volume of traffic at the Dartford river crossing compared to 2003 if the tolls are (a) halved and (b) doubled.

Michael Penning: A 2001 report for the Department for Transport estimated the impacts on weekday, 12 hour two-way traffic flows at the Dartford crossing under different tolling scenarios.
	The report indicated that forecast traffic flows, compared to forecast 2003 levels, would reduce by 7.4% if toll levels were doubled, would increase by 3.7% if toll levels were halved, and would increase by 17.6% if tolls were removed.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what purpose monies from the fund to cover reasonable future maintenance charges at the Dartford river crossing established under the powers to collect tolls of the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988 is being used; and on what date the amount required to fund such maintenance was reached.

Michael Penning: The Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988 enacted a public finance initiative concession for a period of 20 years from 31 July 1988, but could be ended as soon as the debt was repaid. The Secretary of State determined that all financial commitments had been met by 31 March 2002.
	The Dartford-Thurrock Act 1988, schedule 16, (4) (1) contains the provision for a toll extension period for the collection of tolls to provide a fund for future maintenance of the crossing. An extension agreement between the concessionaire and the Secretary of State was in place from 4 March 1999 and allowed the toll extension period to run from 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003. For the period of the extension agreement, the Highways Agency records show the sum of £68,363,698.02 received. All toll revenue during this period was passed over gross to the Department for Transport.
	The extension agreement was for only one year and was not collected thereafter, as the road user charge was introduced from 1 April 2003.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) cost and (b) source of funding for maintenance at the Dartford River Crossing was in each of the last 15 years.

Michael Penning: Since 1 April 2003, the source of funding for the Dartford Crossing has been through the Road User Charge. The Highways Agency produces an account detailing income (funding) and expenditure (costs) on an annual basis. Up to the year ending 31 March 2010, copies should be available in the House of Commons Library or they can also be found on the Highways Agency website.
	The annual account for the year ending 31 March 2011 is currently being completed and should be available early in 2012.
	Prior to 1 April 2003, the source of funding was the toll under the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988. Income (funding) and expenditure (costs) would be shown in the annual accounts of the Concessionaire, Dartford River Crossing Ltd, who built the QEII Bridge and then operated the entire Crossing from 1991. Copies of these accounts, if still available, may be obtained through Companies House.

Driving: Diabetes

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment her Department has made of the merits of establishing a group of expert diabetologists to assess people with diabetes holding or applying for a driving licence on an annual basis; if she will estimate the likely cost of establishing such a group; and what steps she plans to take to ensure that the costs of driving fitness assessments do not fall on the individuals applying for or holding a driving licence. [R]

Michael Penning: Based on the advice of the Secretary of State for Transport, the right hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening's), Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes Mellitus the Department has made the decision to establish a group of expert Consultant diabetologists. Details of the likely cost of setting up such a group have not yet been finalised but is likely to be small. An interim process will be established to consider applications from those with insulin treated diabetes who wish to drive buses and lorries in the mean time. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency will pay for these assessments.

Driving: Diabetes

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will bring forward the proposals to ensure that people with diabetes have access to an effective mechanism to challenge the decisions of medical practitioners and expert diabetologists in respect of their fitness to drive made during the annual assessments proposed under the DVLA proposals to amend driving licence standards for vision, diabetes and epilepsy. [R]

Michael Penning: It is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), not general practitioners or expert diabetologists that make decisions on whether an individual is able to meet the appropriate medical standards for driving. The law already provides for appeals to be made through the Courts where DVLA has decided to issue a short period licence or revoke/refuse a licence. DVLA will always consider any fresh medical evidence which is provided.

Driving: Diabetes

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons DVLA proposals for the implementation of EU Directives 2009/112/EC, 2009/113/EC and 2006/126/EC contain an annual review requirement for people with diabetes treated with insulin which is more stringent than the requirement in the Directives; and what the evidential basis is for this requirement. [R]

Michael Penning: The 12 month licence review refers to Group 2 (lorry and bus) licensing and will be relevant when the current blanket ban on drivers with insulin treated diabetes has been removed. The review period is in line with that deemed appropriate by the expert members of the Secretary of State for Transport, the right hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening’s), Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes Mellitus. Licences will be renewed provided that the appropriate medical standards are met.

Driving: Diabetes

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she plans to take to ensure that safe drivers retain (a) their driving licences and (b) the opportunity to renew their licences should they not meet the medical standards prescribed by EU directives 2009/112/EC, 2009/113/EC and 2006/126/EC. [R]

Michael Penning: Those who are able to meet the appropriate medical standards can lawfully be licensed to drive. Drivers who do not meet the new standards cannot be licensed to drive. If the driver's health subsequently improves and they can meet the standards then a new application for a licence can be considered.

Driving: Diabetes

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has had with healthcare professionals for the purpose of ensuring that the term second severe hypoglycaemic episode as contained in EU directive 2009/112/EC is understood and applied consistently by health care professionals and people with diabetes. [R]

Michael Penning: Advice on medical standards is provided by the Secretary of State's for Transport's Honorary Medical Panel on Diabetes Mellitus and Driving. Guidance on severe and recurrent hypoglycaemia is already available on the DVLA website and published by DVLA in a booklet ‘At a Glance Guide to the current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive’. This provides advice to doctors on the medical standard to advise their patients. It is updated twice, yearly and can be downloaded from the DVLA's website free of charge.
	Also, an e-Alert system which sends messages to general practitioners was used to inform around 400,000 health care professionals about the changes proposed by the EU directive to medical standards.

Driving: Diabetes

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what legislative proposals she plans to bring forward to amend legislation governing the licensing of drivers to comply with EU Directives 2009/112/EC, 2009/113/EC and 2006/126/EC. [R]

Michael Penning: Great Britain already complies with the minimum requirements of EU Directive 2009/112/EC. The blanket ban imposed on those with insulin treated diabetes, preventing them from applying for a group two driving licence, will be removed by regulations laid in Parliament on 24 October.
	No final decisions have been made on changes to the medical standards for epilepsy and vision. However, any changes are not likely to be introduced until 2012.

Highways Agency

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings on the Highways Agency Review the non-executive chairman of the Highways Agency has attended since his appointment and which individuals and organisations were present at those meetings.

Michael Penning: The review of the management of the strategic road network is an independent review led by Alan Cook the non-executive chairman of the Highways Agency.
	The published report will include a list of those individuals and organisations that Alan Cook and his team spoke to in the course of the review.

Highways Agency

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings attended by Ministers in her Department have included an agenda item related to the Highways Agency Review since May 2010; and which individuals and organisations were present at those meetings.

Michael Penning: The review of the management of the strategic road network is an independent review led by Alan Cook, the non- executive chairman of the Highways Agency.
	Since May 2010 Alan Cook and his review team have periodically met with the Secretary of State for Transport and I to discuss progress.
	Alan Cook met with the Secretary of State in October 2011 to report the findings from his review.

Ports

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department has informed any major trust port classified as a public corporation that it cannot borrow for capital projects because her Department has no provision for such borrowing within its departmental expenditure limit for the period up to and including 2014.

Michael Penning: The Government have no statutory control over borrowing by trust ports. However, as such borrowing by major trust ports scores on the departmental expenditure limit, the Department for Transport asks these ports to make a quarterly return of their forecast borrowing and repayments in the medium term.
	The introduction of “Modernising Trust Ports—A Guide to Good” Governance sets out the position following the Office of National Statistics classification of the largest trust ports as public corporations. Therefore, the Department would expect to be consulted before a major trust port undertook any new borrowing that was likely to have a significant impact on the departmental expenditure limit.

Roads: Weather

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Highways Agency has taken to improve the provision of information on road conditions in the event of severe winter weather.

Michael Penning: The Highways Agency has taken the following steps to improve the provision of information on road conditions in the event of severe weather:
	The provision of early warnings of severe weather being issued to haulage operators via the Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association to allow operators to consider alternative routes and/or revise their delivery schedules;
	Introduced in spring 2011 the provision of traffic data via TomTom satellite navigation devices;
	Introduced in spring 2011 more extensive use of regionally focussed Twitter feeds to communicate information about travel conditions;
	Introduced in September 2011 the improved use of over 2,000 electronic Variable Message Signs to include the use of warning message legends to provide advanced notification of severe weather and, in extreme circumstances, legends that advise motorists to avoid the area.

Shipping: Training

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions she has had with Ministers in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on changes in funding levels to providers of training for cadets entering the Merchant Navy.

Michael Penning: The Government's Support for Maritime Training Scheme is funded through the Department for Transport's budget. I am in regular contact with the Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, my hon. Friend the Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr Hayes).

Shipping: Working Conditions

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what work her Department is doing on the issue of seafarer fatigue and its impact on safety.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) take the issue of seafarer fatigue very seriously, and is pursuing a three-tier campaign to address the problem:
	First, by focusing on the enforcement of the existing regulations, in particular during port state inspections where there is evidence that crew fatigue has the potential to affect the safe operation of ships;
	secondly, by seeking international recognition of the problem of fatigue at sea and of its link with seafarer manning levels; and
	thirdly, by working to achieve cultural change within the industry so that seafarer fatigue is recognised as a clear safety issue which is addressed through safety management. The MCA has been contributing expertise to the EU-funded “HORIZON” project which is examining the effects of fatigue on performance, and is expected to report early in 2012.

Thameslink Railway Line: Rolling Stock

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether any of the (a) advisers and (b) consultants that have worked with her Department on the Thameslink Rolling Stock contract have declared a conflict of interest; [R]
	(2)  whether any of the (a) advisers and (b) consultants that have worked with her Department on the Thameslink Rolling Stock have provided (i) advice to and (ii) consultancy work for Siemens plc in the last five years. [R]

Theresa Villiers: Interfleet has notified the Department on three occasions of potential conflicts of interest.
	In September 2008, prior to the issue of the Invitation to Tender, they notified the Department that they had carried out some gauging clearance study work for Siemens.
	In January 2009 they notified the Department that they intended to bid for potential Notified Body approvals contracts with all Thameslink bidders (Alstom, Bombardier, Hitachi and Siemens).
	In July 2011, post the preferred bidder announcement, they notified the Department that they intended to carry out gauge clearance work for Siemens.
	On each occasion Interfleet detailed the management action that would be taken to avoid any conflict of interest. This was reviewed and accepted by the Department.

Thameslink Railway Line: Rolling Stock

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate her Department made of the cost to the public purse of awarding the Thameslink Rolling Stock contract to (a) Siemens and (b) Bombardier. [R]

Theresa Villiers: The Department carried out a detailed evaluation of the bids submitted by Siemens and Bombardier according to the evaluation process detailed in the invitation to tender and published on the DfT website. The impact to the public purse was based on the information provided in the bids.